TRAVEL Check out the upcoming travel opportunities page 3 to Israel.
MISSION Photos and story from YLD Israel mission trip. page 26
U.N. VOTE Read perspectives on the upcoming United Nations page 7 vote.
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Federation wins Partnership and Jewish News awards
The American Jewish Press Association recently presented the Jacksonville Jewish News with a first-place award in excellence in overall graphic design. The Simon Rockower Awards, presented annually, recognize excellence in Jewish publications. The Jewish News is a publication of the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. The Jewish News won the graphic design award by submitting three consecutive editions from 2010: February, March and April. Judging was based on front page, editorial pages, inside page advertising and editorial layout, feature pages, advertising design, headline and text typography, including standing heads and use of photographs and artwork. “Our Communications Department works hard every month to produce a quality newspaper for the Jacksonville Jewish community,” Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies said. “But the award is also a reflection of the quality of the content submitted by our community agencies, synagogues and schools. That extra effort they make each month in providing good stories and photos is evident in this award.” The Jewish Peoplehood Day program, which the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville led this January, won an award of excellence by the Jewish Agency for Israel. In a special ceremony that took place in a worldwide Partnership 2000 conference, the Israel Partnership was awarded with a certificate: “The Jewish Agency for Israel is proud to present the Hadera - Eiron Southeast Consortium Partnership Award of Excellence for the Jewish Peoplehood Day Program. This award is in recognition of the unique qualities and impact that this program has in its communities and on each individual life that it touches. We thank all
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Scenes from YLD Mission trip to Israel
Above: Susanart, an American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee youth-at-risk art program. At right: before a gala meal at the Dead Sea. From left: Wiatt Bowers, Ben Marsh, Meryl Shareff and Nicole Sena
At the Western Wall, before Shabbat in Jerusalem
Machane Yehuda before Shabbat
Overlooking the ruins at Cesaerea
Meryl at the valley of the communities at yad vashem
PA pushes for U.N. recognition, despite calls for talks From The Israel Project
Palestinian Authority leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Saeb Erekat are pushing ahead with their diplomatic campaign for recognition of Palestinians statehood at the United Nations in September despite the Middle East Quartet’s repeated requests that they choose peace talks instead. Erekat said that the campaign will first seek recognition of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital and then try to gain membership of the United Nations as a full member state. He also told a London-based Arabic language newspaper that they would
proceed with the plan to seek full U.N. membership “even if the peace talks with Israel are revived before September,” The Jerusalem Post reported. Erekat called the initiative “massive” and added that it is “being spearheaded by Fatah parliamentary bloc leader Azzam Ahmad and Palestine People’s Party representative Bassam Salhi, who will travel to China to lobby support,” Israel’s Haaretz reported. They will likely raise the issue in the U.N.’s General Assembly rather than the U.N.’s Security Council because the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and Italy oppose the Palestinian Authority’s
READ MORE IN PERSPECTIVES, p. 7
diplomatic maneuver. Israel contends that the diplomatic campaign is not in the interest of a permanent and stable two-state solution because borders between the West Bank and Israel and issues of water, refugees and shared infrastructure would remain unresolved. Israel cites improvements in the Palestinian economy and security as tangible outcomes of existing cooperation. The U.S.- and E.U.-recognized terror organization, Hamas, said it opposes the Palestinian Authority’s plan and said “it had not been consulted about it” - despite the fact that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority signed a reconciliation pact in May. “Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Orga-
See U.N, p. 7
page 2
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
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Summer socializing
SHALOM JACKSONVILLE
Home • Auto • Life • Excess Liability From left: Mark & Dorri Kraus, Stuart Klein, Jack & Marcia Farkas
By ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jacksonville
“I’ve never been so excited to be Jewish!” “I hope this event will be the first of many to come in the future.” “The crowd was happy to be together meeting one another and the food was beautiful.” “After meeting so many wonderful people and hearing about the community, I’d like to volunteer for a social action project.” These are just four quotes from the many thank you notes I received from newcomers who attend the Summer Social on June 26. Thirty-nine people, mostly newcomers, enjoyed a evening of camaraderie, welcoming and good vibrations (and libations).The last person left at 10:45 p.m. and the
From left: Keith & Tehila Marks, Judy Farmer event started at 7 – a sign that people did not want to leave. A special thank you to our host, Yvonne Cohen, for her generosity and hospitality. Thanks to Margie and Ed Aretz, and Mimi and Marty Kaufman for their help, and to Cathy Klein for coordinating the delicious summer salads.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 3
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MISSION/TRAVEL
Bring your grandchildren to Israel in 2012 the Wall is a true l’dor - v’dor experience – passing the gift of our heritage from one generation to the next. I am personally planning something a little different for myself in this trip. A number of years ago I provided this mission experience for my daughter, who was then 17 years old. She is now the mother of seven children of her own, and I will be experiencing Israel with my grandson Ryan, but without his parents. Ryan will be 15 next summer and lives in Massachusetts with his parents, brothers and sisters. I will be flying to Boston to meet him, and then we will fly to Israel together joining the group for the first day. Perhaps there are some other grandparents who would like to consider this option – bring your grandchild(ren) – even from other parts of the country – without the parents – and come join the mission!
By HAL RESNICK Family Mission Chair
In July 2012 The Federation will once again sponsor a Family Mission to Israel. It is my honor to serve as the chair for this upcoming mission, and I would like to share a few thoughts about it with you. Family missions are life-changing events for all who participate. It is exciting and inspiring to see Israel through the eyes of our children and our grandchildren. The wonder of this amazing country from its barren deserts to its high-tech cities is astonishing. For children to experience what it feels like to be Jewish as part of the majority – as part of the culture and ethos of the country – is an eye-opening experience. For parents to observe their sons and daughters experiencing b’nai mitzvot at
Other missions
Family missions are a wonderful blend of heritage, culture, history, religion, family and adventure. The customary sights and experiences are always provided including Shabbat in Jerusalem. But a family mission also includes a focus on the younger generation: repelling on the Golan Heights, kayaking, riding ATVs in the desert, riding camels, climbing Masada, bathing in the Dead Sea, floating on the Jordan River, hiking, zip lining, etc. We are planning a welcoming informational meeting in the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 17. At that time we will describe the program in more detail and you will have an opportunity to hear from families who participated in our most recent family mission. Please come and join us. Call The Federation at 448-5000 to reserve a seat for that evening. I look forward to greeting you there.
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Thank you ... thank you ... thank you
At the Jacksonville Jewish News, our advertisers are precious to us. It is with their support that the Jacksonville Jewish community has a newspaper. Advertising revenue also offsets the cost of production, so Federation dollars can be dedicated to helping Jews locally and overseas. Please continue to live generously and support our adverisers:
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Beachview & GT Party Rentals Best Bagels & Deli Beth El The Beaches Synagogue Bob Ham Eyewear Brandon Pest Control Carriage Club Jacksonville Comforcare Senior Services Congregation Ahavath Chesed Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery Center Cumberland Packing Corp. Discount Groceries Dottie Wilson, Coldwell Banker
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Participants on our Federation missions find these journeys to be extraordinary! We have a number of missions planned over the course of the next year. • Nov. 13-21, 2011, to Vilnius, Riga and Israel: A Federation “workers” mission This is designed for those who are committed to being a part of our Annual Campaign team. The focus is on the work of our overseas partners in the former Soviet Union and Israel. In addition, the Baltics have a 1,000-year history of rich Jewish tradition. • Feb. 28 – March 4, 2012 – 10th Year Israel Partnership Anniversary Celebration Mission: This mission is open to everyone and will offer a unique opportunity to experience the people, sights and flavors of our Israel Partnership region, Hadera-Eiron. And, the price is incredible – only $986 per person, double occupancy, land only.
Etz Chaim Synagogue Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home Jewish Community Alliance Jewish Museum of Florida Kehillah Chadashah Kobe Japanese Restaurant Let’s Nosh Margo’s Catering Mark Kraus, MetLife Mediterrania Merrill Lynch MHHA Senior Care Mizrahi and Garris Insurance
• • • • • • • • • •
Old San Jose on the River Paige Wajsman/Keller Williams Realty Pet World Stein Mart The Academy at Julington Creek The Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar The Jacksonville Children Chorus The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital Vandroff Insurance Whole Foods Market
For your advertising needs, please contact advertising sales representative Barbara Nykerk at 904.733.4179.
What’s inside Adult Education ......................... p. 8 Community ................................ p. 9 Education................................... p. 8 Federation ................................ p. 5 Jewish Family & Community Services ................................... p. 23 Jewish Community Alliance ... p. 20 Jewish Foundation .................. p. 21 Lifecycles ................................. p. 24 Obituaries ................................ p. 24 Perspectives .............................. p. 6 River Garden ............................ p. 22 Synagogues ............................ p. 10 Travel/Missions ......................... p. 3 Women’s .................................... p. 4
page 4
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
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Rona’s book picks at the beach set for Aug. 30 Join the Federation Women’s Division on Tuesday night, Aug. 30, at the new Neptune Beach location of the Bookmark. Owner Rona Brinlee will welcome us to the store and share her top 18 book picks. Bring a gently used book to donate to Community Connections women’s program. Chair Kim Silbar is creating a relaxing evening with light refreshments and a fabulous ocean view. Bring along your friends as we discuss what books are hot and those that are not! Rona will talk about a variety of current popular titles and reveal some
titles available this fall. Bring your girlfriends for a relaxing evening at the beach. Come prepared to snatch up that last book for the summer and plan ahead with some early Hanukah shopping. Our generous partners at the Bookmark will once again donate 20 percent of the evening’s sales to the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville’s Annual Campaign. Reserve your seat and get directions to the store’s new location by visiting jewishjacksonville.org or call the Federation office, 448-5000 ext. 201.
Silvermans again chair the General Assembly CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, Jerry Silverman, announced that Judy and Steve Silverman will chair the upcoming General Assembly of JFNA to be held in Denver Nov. 6 – 8. This is, according to Jerry Silverman, the first time leaders have repeated as chairs in consecutive years. The annual GA is a gathering of Jewish leadership, volunteers and professionals from throughout the world. While serving as the annual convention for the more than 150 Federations and 50 network communities, many ad-
ditional Jewish organizations send representatives. In most years, the prime minister of Israel, high ranking U.S. officials and some of the top speakers from throughout the Jewish world participate. This November the GA will feature a number of tracks that the delegates may follow to include a focus on the Middle East, innovative and dynamic approaches to leadership, fundraising and more. For more information on the GA of the Jewish Federations of North America, please call Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies, 448-5000 ext. 207.
Beth El hosts Game Day Join us for a catered lunch, nibbles and lots of fun on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m. Bring your friends and your favorite game. For reservations call Donna Berger, 285-8866, or Rita Baum-
garten, 249-8175, by Sept. 1. Send your donation of $18 to Beth El Sisterhood (please include your name, and card party in the memo section), 288 N. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.
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FEDERATION NEWS
Federation and Homeland Security launch watch program The Jewish Federation of Jacksonville, in cooperation with the Jewish Federations of North America and the Department of Homeland Security, is introducing a new security watch program called If You See Something, Say Something. The campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public
awareness of indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats, and emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper law enforcement authorities. The campaign emphasizes that everyone – members of our local community and those who work in our community organizations – should be vigilant, take
Jewish Java: A place to connect
notice of surroundings and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately. The If You See Something, Say Something campaign is part of a broader strategy of the Federation and all of the community organizations in Jacksonville to work together in the areas of security and emergency assistance for the
enhanced security of our community. The Federation urges all of its community members and our local agencies, synagogues and affiliated organizations to take part in the training that comes with the See Something, Say Something initiative. For training tools and more information, the community can visit the following
website: http://www.scnus.org/ page.aspx?id=242123. If community members are interested in finding out more about this and other securityrelated preparedness activities of the Federation, please contact Adam Bronstone at adamb@jewishjacksonville.org or by phone at 448-5000 ext. 208.
‘Reality show’ features real Jewish newcomers By ISABEL BALOTIN Shalom Jacksonville
The TV stations are full of a wide range of reality shows from the “Real Housewives,� “American Idol,� “Project Runway,� “Flipping Out,� “Top Chef� and more. Even though we know these shows are manipulated and carefully edited, we are still drawn in by the drama and in some cases, bad behavior. Now might be a good time for our Jewish community to create its own reality show, “The Real Jewish Newcomers of Jacksonville.� The show would follow new families as they navigate our
community either on their own or with a caring buddy. We’ll watch them interact with neighbors and new friends. Be with them as they attend Shabbat services and enroll their children in our Jewish schools. It will be interesting to see how our community responds to them. Will they be invited to events other than membership promotions or will locals invite them for private Shabbat dinners and play dates? Will their Jewish neighbors make it a point to welcome the new families and promote our wonderful organizations, and many educational and cultural opportunities in our community? Or
will we gossip, whine and complain about our synagogues and other Jewish groups in front of the newcomers? Will our families attend services, sit by themselves and partake of the onegs without being acknowledged by anyone? Will their children attend Jewish schools and not be invited to birthday parties? Will they be alone for holidays? Are we going to be the ones displaying bad behavior like some of the people on the reality shows? Or are we going to be ambassadors and buddies and be positive, embracing and menschlekeit? Tune in‌you’re on the air.
$ After living in Jax more than 8 years, Jan and Sarj Bloom finally found Java. Jewish Java has been a perfect entry point for newcomers and those newly interested in our community to make connections in a casual setting with friendly locals. New people have so many questions, and our seasoned locals and Java regulars have the answers. It doesn’t matter how long you have lived in Jacksonville, you have an open invitation to join us the first Wednesday of every month. It’s the perfect place to find out the latest happenings in the Jewish community. The Jewish News and other community flyers are available at all of these events and there are no solicitations. Plan to join us. Mandarin Jewish Java: Aug. 3, 9-10:30 a.m., at Let’s Nosh, 9850 San Jose Blvd. Purchase a nosh or a hearty breakfast. Coffee and tea are free. Door prizes
Jacksonville
Jewish News Grow your business If you want to reach a demographic with a higher-than-average household income and education, the Jewish News is your connection. To advertise, contact Diane Rodgers at 448-5000 x 212 or jjn@ jewishjacksonville.org
Let’s Nosh will be moving to its new location in September, and Jewish Java is going with them. Watch the Jewish News for more information. If you are new to the community, please contact Isabel Balotin, Shalom Jax coordinator, 448-5000 x 206; or shalomjax@ jewishjacksonville.org. Shalom Jacksonville is a program of the Jewish Federation and is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida.
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Our “Weigh to Wellness� program can help you change your life. Personal trainers Karen Applebaum and Lenny Kuhn as well as nutritionist Helen Sollee will tell you how to get started. In the past year, participants of this program have lost a total of 500 pounds. Some of them will be there to share their stories. 7EDNESDAY !UG s P M
Dust off your dancing shoes! It’s time to have some fun! Come for a sample of two of the many dances that will be taught this fall. Sign up today as space is limited. 3UNDAY !UG s P M
Come Explore A Taste of the Arts Have you ever thought about attending one of our art classes, but weren’t quite sure? Here’s your chance to meet three of our very talented instructors, Kim Miller (drawing), Gordon Meggison (watercolor/oil painting), and Christie Rogers (pottery). Have your questions answered while enjoying a light nosh. 3UNDAY !UG s A M NOON /2 7EDNESDAY !UG s P M
Canasta Come learn to play the updated version of canasta, the Miami rules. The game is the same, just a few new rules. 4UESDAY !UG s P M
JCAce of Cakes Back by popular demand, Ilana Clayman, owner of Ilana Loves Cakes, will give us tips on the preparation of moist, delicious cakes. Try your hand at decorating with fondant, one of several kinds of icing-like substances used to decorate or sculpt pastries as seen on the Food Network. 4UESDAY !UG s P M
Canasta, Kibitz, and Lunch, Too! Don’t miss this fun-filled day. Now that you have attended our Canasta lessons, or maybe you already know how to play, join us for a delicious lunch prepared by our secret chef. Then spend the afternoon playing Canasta and kibitzing with new friends. 7EDNESDAY !UG s A M
Ballet for Baby Boomers This class is for those of us boomers who want to do something good for our bodies while having a fun time. There will be no recitals, no tutus, no splits, and no jumping the puddles. What you will gain is better posture and stability; better body alignment; trimmer legs and behind; and muscle memory (remembering the counts to the beat of the music). Attire is comfortable, fitted clothes and ballet shoes or bare feet. Our very own Gisela Morgan will be the instructor for this graceful class. -ONDAY !UG 3EPT s P M
Word Now that I have your attention, how ‘bout a game of Scrabble? The first Friday of every month you’ll find a hot game going on at the J (which is worth 8 points!!). FREE for JCA members only. &RIDAY 3EPT .OV $EC 4HURSDAY /CT (due to Yom Kippur) s P M
SAVE THE DATE . . . The JCA Annual Jewish Book Festival November 1-13 There will be something for everyone from Bubbies to Tweeters! For more information on any of these programs, please call Michele Steinfeld, Director J Institute, at 730-2100 ext. 239 David A. Stein Jewish Community Alliance on the Ed Parker Jewish Community Campus
3AN *OSE "LVD s Jacksonville, FL 32217 s www.jcajax.org
page 6
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
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PERSPECTIVES Jacksonville
Jewish News Diane Rodgers Communications Director 904.448.5000, ext. 212 Kelley Madden Assistant Communications Director 904.448.5000, ext. 200 Advertising Representatives Barbara Nykerk • 904.733.4179 Communications Committee Jon Israel, Chair Shirley Bielski Michele Katz Joan Levin Rachel Morgenthal Marsha Pollock Gail Sterman Federation President Larry Appel Federation Executive Director Alan Margolies
Tisha B’Av, a holiday of hope By RABBI JOSHUA LIEF Congregation Ahavath Chesed
W
e don’t think about it very often, but there is a Jewish holiday this month. Almost 2,000 years ago, in the hot summer in ancient Jerusalem, the Roman army breached the walls of the city, routed its Jewish defenders, and, on the ninth day of the month of Av, burned the Second Temple to the ground. In an amazing and tragic coincidence, the ninth of Av was the same day that the Babylonians had destroyed the First Temple hundreds of years earlier. This day became a commemoration of all of the tragedies faced by the Jewish people in our thousands of years of history. Even earlier misfortunes like the divine decree that our ancestors would have to wander the desert for 40 years following the spies’ negative report, as well as later events like the expulsion from Spain in 1492 are said to have happened on the same infamous day. Traditionally, we would fast, cover our heads, read from the book of Lamentations, and mourn the loss of our ancestors, our sovereignty, and our connection to God through the worship conducted at His House. This year, Tisha B’Av arrives on Monday evening, Aug. 8 and continues through Tuesday the ninth, and worship services will likely be held at all of our local synagogues. For us, however, Tisha B’Av needs to be something more than only a day of sadness and mourning. Tisha B’Av ought to be for the Jewish people a day of hope. The very fact that it was the Second Temple which was destroyed by the Romans ought to remind us that even after the first tragedy and the Babylonian exile, our ancestors returned home to rebuild and Judaism continued.
The fact that we can still gather to remember testifies to our staying power, as well. The ancient Temple with its sacrificial cult represented an old style of worship. Our ancestors, products of an ancient Near-Eastern cultural context, crafted our religious roots in keeping with ideas present in Mesopotamian ritual practices. I would argue that while the idea of worshipping only one God to the exclusion of any others was a radical idea, the means of worship, animal sacrifice, was well-known and widely accepted. Think of it as a concession to get people to go along with something new: “Yes, there’s only one God, but you still get to worship Him in the familiar comfortable ways that you are used to worshipping all of the Mesopotamian pantheon.” As such, the replacement of offerings of bulls and rams with the offerings of the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts is the logical continuation of the revolutionary process started by God and Abraham. Our worship today continues to be new and improved as we, like Jews of every age, seek to keep Judaism relevant to our ever changing world. The end of the Temple was not the end of Judaism. Rather it was a chance for Judaism to grow and remain meaningful for generations of adherents yet to come. We are the inheritors of this tradition of progress. With August comes a return from vacation and a new school year, and even the High Holy Days are just around the corner. Let the fire of sacrificial service ever glow upon the altar of our hearts, and zeal for brotherhood and for peace burn within our souls. Where Judaism grows next is up to us. I look forward to sharing the journey with you.
RABBINICALLY SPEAKING
How Israel celebrates Tu B’Av, the day of love By TEDDY WEINBERGER Columnist
O
utside of Israel, Tu B’Av, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av (which begins this year on Sunday night August 14), is the most minor of holidays. If it is acknowledged at all, it is almost exclusively by Orthodox men during morning prayers, when the penitential “tahanun” prayer is omitted, as befitting a festive day. In Israel, almost everyone has heard of the holiday of Tu B’Av because it has been warmly embraced by the secular public as a kind of Valentine’s Day, since the holiday is also known as “the Day of Love.” What is this holiday of Tu B’Av? A clear reference to the day is found in the Mishna, written almost 2,000 years ago. The Mishna speaks of Tu B’Av as a festive day upon which the “daughters of Jerusalem” would go out into the vineyards with white clothes that they had borrowed (so that no could tell who was rich or poor), and the girls would sing: “Boys, choose carefully. Don’t look at appearances, but look at our families, for it is written, ‘Grace is deceptive, Beauty is illusory. It is for her fear of the Lord that a woman is to be praised.’” Here, therefore, is an original source for Tu B’Av as a Jewish
“Day of Love.” The way that modern Israel celebrates this holiday, however, is a little different from the way it was celebrated in the days of old. On Tu B’Av in Israel, restaurants as well as music, dance, and theater festivals all try to capitalize on this romantic holiday by promoting events for lovers. In past years, for example, the restaurant along the Manara Cliffs in the Galilee offered a multi-course meal, a cable-car ride up the Cliffs, and personal musical accompaniment (one could choose between a wandering violinist, guitarist, or flutist). The advertisement for the event said that “this offer could be especially appropriate for those who are thinking of an original idea for a marriage proposal.” In a country where women of all ages enjoy wearing “hultzot beten” (“tummy shirts,” which don’t quite manage to cover one’s — pierced or unpierced — navel), the attire at Tu B’Av festivals is rather less modest than the attire described in the Mishna. My friend Danny sees this as a perversion of Jewish tradition: “If there is any connection to the traditional Tu B’Av it is that the popular Israeli way of celebrating this holiday is the exact opposite of what our sages intended.” A different friend of mine goes even further: “It’s like a man stranded at sea, dying of
thirst, who in desperation starts to drink salt water. It’s water, true, but that man is poisoning himself. So with Israelis and Tu B’Av: they’ve got the name of the holiday and the date, but what they do on this day hurts them spiritually because they use this day to sin.” I believe that it is possible to find redeeming value in Tu B’Av even as it is celebrated today. In Israel, where Jewish civilization has come fully alive after a hiatus of two millennia, Tu B’Av has also come back to life. Though current popular observance is hardly chaste, every now and then, alongside the love festivals, traditional sources of the holiday are recalled, and there is discussion of such topics as sexual ethics, and the differences between male and female sexuality. For Jews outside of Israel, Tu B’Av will remain what it is until the arrival of the Messiah, when, it is traditionally believed, it will mark the 7th day of a week-long holiday beginning on the former fast day of the 9th of Av. As with the founding of the State itself, Israelis have chosen not to wait for the Messiah. Is God happy with this situation? Even though I have a Ph.D. in theology, I still find it hard to tell what God wants. But I do know where I would want to be with my beloved on Tu B’Av.
Jacksonville
Jewish News
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The Jacksonville Jewish News is published monthly. All submitted content becomes the property of the Jacksonville Jewish News. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of the Jacksonville Jewish News or its publisher, the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jewish News is not responsible for the Kashruth of any product advertised. Copy deadlines: All news, photographs, etc., must be received by the 6th of each month, and sent to jjn@jewishjacksonville.org. Ad deadlines: All ads must be received by the 15th of each month, and sent to jjn@jewishjacksonville.org in PDF format. For prepress guidelines, please go to http://www.flasunprinting.com/floridasunprepre.html.
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 7
www.jewishjacksonville.org
PERSPECTIVES
No yellow brick road for Palestinian U.N. bid By ANAV SILVERMAN Hebrew University
W
ill the recognition and creation of a Palestinian state by the United Nations Security Council magically end Mideast unrest? Can the U.N. fulfill the role of the Wizard of Oz and help ensure that such a state truly serves its people? Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has predicted that a Palestinian state will allow his people to live as a “peace-loving nation, committed to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” echoing the sentiments of many in the international community. (New York Times, May 16, 2011) However, there are those in the Palestinian community who foresee a far different kind of future. According to several prominent Palestinian and Arab commentators and bloggers, this proposed prophecy will never see reality as long as a corrupt Palestinian leadership remains in place, continuing the dishonest financial dealings that defined past P.A. President Yasser Arafat and now Mr. Abbas. Sami Jamil Jadallah, a Palestinian American who is an international legal and business consultant, recently wrote an article comparing Israeli and Palestinian leaders in light of Israel’s 63rd anniversary for Palestine Note, a news and opinion site based in Washington, D.C. He first addresses past history and describes David Ben-Gurion as having “dedicated his life to creating a nation out of the remnant of people from over 120 countries and succeeded in having a state with governing institutions on Day One.” As for Arafat, Jadallah harshly criticizes, writing “the other succeeded dedicating his life to political manipulation, lies fraud, corrupting everything around him and failing ‘his’ people at every turn, never having achieved liberation or the return of refugees.” He adds that “Ben-Gurion did not invite his family and friends and associates to loot the country as Yasser Arafat did” and that he is “not aware of any Israeli leader who became a multi-millionaire while serving the nation and the people while in public office.” Arafat’s wife Suha was reportedly promised $22 million a year from P.A. funds by Abbas, following her husband’s death. Mr. Abbas himself lives in a luxury villa
U.N.
Continued from p. 1 nization that calls Bin Laden a ‘holy warrior,’ remains determined to destroy Israel, and is responsible for the deaths of Israelis and Americans,” said Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who chairs the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a recent media statement. Israel views the Hamas-Fatah warming an obstacle to peace insomuch as Hamas continues to state that its main goal is the eradication of Israel. “Now, Hamas will be a part of the Palestinian Authority, without having to recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce violence, or
worth $1.5 million (New York Times 2/2/97). Indeed it is the lack of accountability of funds among the Palestinian leadership that truly raises the Jadallah’s ire. “What we know is that the Palestinian leadership never bothered to operate a transparent accountable system and the PLO was and continues to operate as ‘private’ closed corporation for the benefit of very few selected and self appointed members of the Executive Committee. We never knew the hows and the whys of the operation of the PLO and the Palestine National Congress,” he writes. In 2006, the Palestinian Attorney General Ahmed Al-Moghani revealed that at least $700 million of P.A. funds – others estimate up to $1 billion – had been stolen or squandered by corrupt Palestinian officials during the last few years. Some of the millions were transferred into personal accounts abroad. Jadallah ends his piece by describing the current P.A. government as lacking the “integrity, professionalism and the competency to achieve the end of occupation. He says that the P.A. “promises the people a ‘virtual’ state with none of the prerequisites of a modern nation state.” Ali Younis, a Washingtonbased journalist, also wrote in an article for Al Arabiya Feb. 28 noting that “the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat used corruption as a tool to manage and control his chaotic Palestinian Authority.” He points out that “President Mahmoud Abbas is no different according to many complaints against him by Palestinian intellectuals.” In addition to the questionable financial system that the P.A. has in place, free speech and free press under the current regime of Mahmoud Abbas is also extremely problematic. Human Rights Watch’s April 6 report, “No News Is Good News: Abuses Against Journalists by Palestinian Security Forces, highlights the way in which Abbas’s PA security “tortured, beat and arbitrarily detained journalists.” The report also cites the Palestinian journalism watchdog, MADA which documented that “the number of physical attacks, arrests, detentions, arbitrary confiscations of equipment and other violations of journalists’ rights by Palestinian security forces this year increased in both Gaza and
the West Bank in 2010 by 45 percent from the previous year.” MADA also called for an immediate investigation into a severe attack on Palestinian journalists who were covering a youth sit-in in Hamas-controlled Gaza on March 15. The youth were demanding an end to internal political strife between Fatah and Hamas. Internal security personnel at the event attacked and beat the journalists who were attempting to cover the event. It is therefore not surprising that the majority of Palestinians living in Jerusalem would rather remain citizens of Israel then become Palestinian citizens, if given the choice ahead of the P.A.’s bid for statehood. A poll conducted by the Pechter Middle East Polls in partnership with the Council of Foreign Relations, and supervised by Dr. David Pollock found that 35 percent of Palestinians living in east Jerusalem would opt to remain citizens of Israel, while 30 percent would choose Palestinian citizenship. The remaining 35 percent declined to answer or did not know. The study also found that 40 percent of Palestinians would likely move to Israel, if their neighborhood became part of Palestine. The creation of a Palestinian state via the U.N. will in no way end the Mideast conflict, but will only add another dimension of instability to the region. Nor will it serve the interests of the Palestinian people. As of today, there is no serious foundation for a stable democratic Palestinian state, devoid of the corruption that brought about the Arab Spring in the rest of the Middle East. How can the international community even consider that such a state be created at this time? In order for the Palestinians to live in freedom and democracy, they must have honest leaders, a sound electoral process, democratic institutions, transparent accounting and a fair judicial system. Under Hamas and Fatah, the Palestinians have none of these critical elements. Only lies. Abbas’s yellow brick road to the U.N. will lead to nowhere.
accept previous agreements,” the Ros-Lehtinen added. At a recent Congressional hearing in Washington, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob Walles said: “The direct path to a two-state solution for a Palestinian state is the path of direct negotiations.” Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are considering measures to cut aid to any Palestinian government tied to the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist group, even as Palestinian leaders try to line up votes for a unilateral declaration of statehood at the United Nations. The U.S. and EU-designated ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization,’ Hamas, is funded and armed by Iran and dedicated to destroying Israel. Hamas’ Charter states:
“Israel, by virtue of its being Jewish and of having a Jewish population, defies Islam and the Muslims.” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas entered into a power-sharing alliance with Hamas in May, causing world leaders to worry that the Islamic resistance movement would be able to dictate Palestinian actions towards Israel in the coming months. A U.S. House of Representatives panel introduced a bill last month that would block American aid to the PA, Egypt, Lebanon and Pakistan “unless the Obama administration reassures Congress that they are cooperating in the worldwide fight against terrorism.”
Anav Silverman is an educator at Hebrew University’s Secondary School of Education in Jerusalem and a freelance writer. She has previously worked as an international correspondent at Sderot Media Center.
Deligitimize Israel? What a remarkable place and people Here is a glimpse as to what a diverse, creative and free democracy can obtain in 63 years: *Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population of any country in the world. *Israel has the largest number of startup companies than any other country in the world except the United States. *Israel also ranks right behind the United States and China for venture capital funds. *There are over 100 foreign research and development facilities in Israel. *Israel ranks behind only the USA and Canada for the number of companies listed on NASDAQ. *The cell phone was developed in Israel by Motorola. *Most of the Windows NT operating system was developed by Microsoft-Israel. *The Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel. *Voice mail technology was developed in Israel. *The technology for AOL instant messenger was developed by four young Israelis. *Drip irrigation that has revolutionized farming in desert regions throughout the world was invented in Israel. *Israel is a world leader in nanotechnology. Israel developed the first ingestible video camera so small it fits inside a pill! This is helping doctors to diagnose cancer and digestive disorders. *Israel developed the world’s first fully computerized radiationfree diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer. *Israel has more museums than any country per capita. *Israel has airlifted over 100,000 Ethiopian Jews to live in freedom in Israel.
Defending the right to exist
I
t is highly likely that this com- international matches canceled; ing September the Palestinian Trade unions (mainly in Europe) Authority will bring to the have sought to nullify all relations United Nations with Israeli Security CounThe effort to delegitimize counterparts. cil a resoluThese are but Israel and therefore to tion seeking the tip of a negate Israel’s right to recognition of larger iceberg statehood. The of activities, exist as a free, indepenUnited States email, poster, dent, Jewish state should has clearly film and other not be open for debate. indicated that campaigns it will veto taking place (therefore nulacross the lifying) this request. What action globe in an effort to isolate Israel the General Assembly takes at from the rest of the international that time is not certain. If a resocommunity, and make it a pariah lution is brought to the General state. Assembly, it is expected to pass Fortunately, while this is an overwhelmingly. active campaign, many of these It is important to place these efforts have thus far failed. Supevents at the United Nations with- port of Israel in the United States in a much broader understandis at an all time high. ing and context of the effort to The organized Jewish commuBoycott, Delegitimize and Sancnity is engaged in a coordinated tion (BDS) Israel at the political, effort to push back against the efeconomic, academic, cultural and forts to delegitimize Israel. There athletic levels of interaction. And is a joint project of the Jewish while these two issues are linked, Federations of North America and it is also crucial to understand Jewish Council for Public Affairs, them as separate issues. The the creation of the Israel Action question of a separate PalestinNetwork. The network is an office ian state is one that members of designed to support local comthe Jewish community may have munities to counter BDS claims, various opinions. Many believe and to promote positive images this will be negotiated by Israel of Israel to the general public. As and the Palestinian Authority. The a member of Jewish Federations effort to delegitimize Israel and of North America and supporter therefore to negate Israel’s right of the Jewish Council for Public to exist as a free, independent, Affairs, this federation is proud to Jewish state should not be open support this national effort. for debate. On a local level, the Jewish At the heart of this BDS camFederation continues to work with paign is the desire by its activists many partners in bringing into the to call into question the legiticommunity Israeli guests who are macy of the existence of the state able to present a positive image of Israel, and link every Israeli, of Israel to our Jewish and nonevery supporter of Israel and Jewish audiences, including the every company that does business deputy consul of Israel to Florida with or in Israel to the notion that and a series of young adult postIsrael practices apartheid. Therearmy Israelis. We actively particifore, Israel should be subject to pated at the city of Jacksonville’s the same international ostracizing World of Nations Celebration by that South Africa received only a sponsoring an Israel Pavilion. decade ago. The intent is to place Over three days, thousands of a stigma on all things Israeli. people from across the region ate A few examples of what has Israeli food, played Israeli games been attempted thus far: There are and learned about Israel. some who wish to boycott Israeli For more information about academics, not allowing their par- how to get involved and promote ticipation at academic conferencIsrael, please contact the Federaes; Israeli national teams have had tion office at 448-5000.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
EDUCATION
Jacksonville Jewish Center Religious School is ready for you The Bernard & Alice Selevan Religious School is gearing up for another exciting and successful year! The award-winning program, recognized by United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism as a Framework for Excellence school, integrates formal and informal educational programming and meets rigorous standards in all academic areas that include professional development, curriculum development and family education. As always, the school, which begins in kindergarten and continues through eighth grade, incorporates art, music, 21st century computer technology and experiential programming. An individual tracking and assessment system assures that each student progresses at the student’s pace with Hebrew reading, language and prayer skills.
A special-needs professional is always on-hand to give support as needed to individuals and groups. Rounded out with a strong Judaic curriculum, including Torah, mitzvot, history, lifecycle and holiday; numerous family programs; and a dedicated and nurturing staff, the Religious School provides a complete Jewish education that prepares children to enter our community as capable young adults. Grades K and 1 attend for three hours on Sundays only. Wednesday afternoons are added for second through seventh graders, which allows educators to present an in-depth language and prayer curriculum as well as the involvement of JJC clergy on a frequent basis. The school is very excited to announce that its third grade has been chosen to pilot
an exciting new technologicallybased curriculum this year, newly developed by the same educators that developed the successful Etgar program. Sixth and seventh graders have now completed immersion in Project Etgar, a cohesive curriculum developed especially for middle-school students by USCJ and the educators at the Jewish Theological Seminary. The goal of the Etgar program is to teach Jewish adolescent moral, social and emotional values as well as Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation. Eighth graders bridge the gap between religious school and high school by coming on Wednesday evenings during the MAKOM Hebrew High program. They also attend on Saturday mornings rather than Sundays, where they quickly become valued members of the adult com-
munity in the sanctuary (reading Torah and leading portions of the service) and as leaders in Shabbat youth programs. The curriculum has been structured to ensure that all students, regardless of background or style of learning, will progress at any level of Hebrew in the Religious School, while still enjoying the company of their age-group in a fun and stimulating Judaic program. Dedicated teachers challenge and nurture each child. A special Religious School assembly each afternoon in the Chapel establishes a family ambiance, teaching the importance of community, Torah and prayer. Frequent visits from clergy add to the excitement and enjoyment of being a valued part of the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Students are regular participants in synagogue-wide celebra-
tions, services and special events. Parent education programs, if desired, are also available at convenient times. The goal of the program is to instill a love and understanding of our rich cultural heritage, creating the foundation for life-long Jewish learning and living. Next year the school plans to offer a new dimension. By parent request, a series of adult-learning opportunities will take place parallel to the children’s curriculum, enabling parents to “keep up” with students. The school also looks forward to the involvement of Rabbi Olitzky as well as Rabbi Lubliner and Hazzan Holzer. Registration for next year is starting now! Please contact Lois Tompkins, principal, at 268-4200, ext. 146, or visit us at www.jaxjewishcenter.com for more information.
ADULT EDUCATION Adult education for August
Whether you are looking for daily or weekly class, an occasional lecture, or a scholar-inresidence weekend, you will find it here. All classes are free and open to the community unless otherwise indicated. For additional information on any of the following listings, please contact the sponsoring institution. Daily • Between Mincha and Maariv ♦ Mishna Yomi is every evening at Etz Chaim Synagogue in the Mirkis Chapel. Rabbi Fisch leads the group in studying a tractate (volume) of the Mishna. We are studying Tractate Beitzah. For more information, please call the synagogue office at (904)2623565 ext. 7. • Following Shacharis service ♦ Halacha Yomi at Etz Chaim Synagogue. Rabbi Fisch teaches a brief lesson of the day. For more information, please call the synagogue office at (904)262-3565 ext. 7. Weekdays • 6 a.m. ♦ Daf Yomi at Etz Chaim Synagogue. The class studies two pages of Talmud every morning. This class is on the Daf Yomi, which will conclude the entire Talmud in August 2012. Talmud while sipping on hot coffee. For more information, please call the synagogue office at (904)2623565 ext. 7. Mondays • Following morning minyan ♦ Monday Minyan Mapquest at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Navigating the daily liturgy in five minutes a week, join us each Monday for a five-minute tour of the siddur. Following the sequence of the daily prayer service, we will explore the structure of the liturgy, the fascinating origins of specific prayers and blessings, as well as the choreography and responses to each. Contact Cassie Vichozsky (904) 268-4200 ext. 115 for more information. • 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ♦ The Wisdom Years at Temple. Wrestle with traditional and contemporary Jewish topics. Led by Rabbi Lief, this long-standing group welcomes new members who are anxious to share ideas with equally spirited companions. This series is open to the public and presented free. No reservations are required. For more information, contact the Temple at 733-7078, or email learning@ thetemplejacksonville.org. • 7 p.m. ♦ Talmud Class at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. An ongoing, leisurely paced analysis of law and lore in tractate Megillah in the intimate setting of Rabbi Lubliner’s office. Contact Cassie Vichozsky (904) 2684200 ext. 115 for more information. No class Aug. 8.
Thursdays • 6:45 p.m. ♦ Weekly Parsha Class at Etz Chaim Synagogue. Our weekly Parsha Class takes place every Thursday evening in the Mirkis Chapel and is taught by Rabbi Yaakov Fisch. The class is designed to unlock the deeper messages of the weekly Torah portion and seeing the relevance of the “Parsha” in our lives. This is an ongoing class every Thursday. For more information, please call the synagogue office at (904)262-3565 ext. 7 • 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ♦ Introduction to Judaism at Temple. Whether you are seeking a richer understanding of your own Jewish heritage, a connection to a community, beginning a personal discovery of faith, or if you want to learn more, Introduction to Judaism is for you. This 18-week course will cover many aspects of Reform Judaism including God concepts, liturgy, holidays, sacred texts, ritual, Israel and much more! Open to the entire community, we welcome our congregants, unaffiliated Jews, nonJews, people who love Jews and people who are loved by Jews. There is a $100 fee for this course to cover the cost of training and materials. To register, contact the Temple office at (904) 733-7078, or email learning@thetemplejacksonville.org. Aug. 11 – Dec. 8 Saturdays • 45 minutes before Mincha ♦ Prophetic Visions at Etz Chaim Synagogue. This class is taught by Rabbi Fisch in the Mirkis Chapel. Classes give insights of the stories of the prophets and their timeless messages. For more information, please call the synagogue office at (904)262-3565 ext. 7 • 8:45 a.m. – 10 a.m. ♦ Torah Study at the Temple. Join us in the Parker Auditorium on Shabbat mornings, as together we read and discuss the Torah portion of the week. Fresh coffee and a light breakfast will be served at 8:45 a.m. and we’ll start our discussion promptly at 9 a.m. No prior knowledge is necessary and all are welcome. This program is presented free and no reservations are required. For more information, contact the Temple at 733-7078, or email learning@thetemplejacksonville.org. Sundays • 7:15 a.m. ♦ Daf Yomi at Etz Chaim Synagogue. The class studies two pages of Talmud every morning. This class is on the Daf Yomi, which will conclude the entire Talmud in August 2012. Talmud while sipping on hot coffee. For more information, please call the synagogue office at (904)2623565 ext. 7. • 10:15 a.m. - noon ♦ Foundations of Judaism at the Jacksonville Jewish Center.
Taught by lay and professional teachers from the Center community, classes will excite and inform through lively discussion and activities. The course consists of seven four-week units, including topics such as: Jewish spirituality, sacred books, Jewish time, contemporary Judaism in America, ethics and values, and more. Open to the entire community. Registration required. Contact Cassie Vichozsky (904) 268-4200 ext. 115 to register. New class begins in August. Saturday, Aug. 13 • 9:15 a.m. ♦ Jewish Meditation Shabbat Morning at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Invite your soul to enter Shabbat in an extended moment of stillness. Beginners welcome. Contact Cassie Vichozsky (904) 268-4200 ext. 115 for more information. Thursday, Aug. 18 • 7:30 p.m. ♦ JCA Film Series at the JCA. The JCA presents a free showing of “Imagine This.” This compelling, inspiring, original musical is a personal journey through one of the most devastating periods of world history, but above all, it is a story of hope. In this recording of a live performance in London’s West End, “Imagine This” speaks to the strength of the human spirit, to man’s determination to survive in the face of hatred and evil, and to love in a world where love seems impossible. For more information, call Thelma Nied, 7302100 ext. 227. Friday, Aug. 19 • 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. ♦ Back to School Shabbat Dinner at Temple. Join us for a kid-friendly menu of spaghetti, garlic bread and salad, as we work with Jewish Family & Community Services to collect school supplies for families in need. The cost is $7 per adult and $5 per child over 3 years of age. We, of course, ask you to bring a donation of school supplies to help a child in need. Backpacks, pens, pencils, rulers and notebooks are especially wanted. To reserve your seat, or learn how you can help, contact the Temple office at (904) 733-7078, or email ddiggins@thetemplejacksonville. org. Saturday, Aug. 20 • 8 a.m. ♦ Coffee & Torah at the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Come enjoy a strong cup of brew, a tasty breakfast treat, and thoughtprovoking insights into the weekly Torah portion in the intimate setting of Rabbi Lubliner’s office. Contact Cassie Vichozsky (904) 268-4200 ext. 115 for more information.
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
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www.jewishjacksonville.org
COMMUNITY NEWS/EDUCATION
Jewish Museum of Florida presents Isaac Bashevis Singer Join us for a lively discussion integrating storytelling and art. Inspired by our current exhibit, museum Education Coordinator Rabbi Cheryl Weiner will examine the depth and complex-
ity of Isaac Bashevis Singer as a writer within the Yiddish world of letters and the American literary canon. Referring to the work in the exhibit, we will explore Singer’s
ARMDI seeks new ambulance By MARTY KAUFMAN President, Mitzvah Chapter
The excitement is mounting for the Mitzvah Chapter of ARMDI as we continue to move forward with our goal of purchasing a fully equipped medical ambulance for the Israeli Red Cross. The cost of the ambulance is $100,000. Today in Israel the urgent need for this critical service is of utmost importance. The state of Israel is surrounded by an enemy sworn to destroy it. Rockets
and missiles pour into their cities on almost a daily basis. Recently Israel was attacked from the Golan Heights on two occasions. Medical personnel and responders are lacking the much-needed equipment and ambulances are constantly in demand to service the population. The Israel Magen David Adom also responds to motor vehicle accidents, fires and all medical emergencies as well as terrorist attacks. To contact the Mitzvah Chapter call 731-2486.
Walk for Awareness set On Sunday, Oct. 24, Susan G. Komen for the Cure will have a Walk for Awareness. The walk will take place at UNF. Registration is open at the Komen website, www.komennorthflorida.org. Select the Walk for Awareness participation.
stylistic range, from poignant autobiographical tales of Poland to whimsical and fantastic Yiddish folklore. As part of the conversation and tour of the exhibit, we will
also explore how artists interpret setting, character and plot through their illustrations and how illustrations impact the reader. The program, set for Aug. 7
Beth El registers new students Beth El the Beaches Synagogue is excited about its upcoming school year. Registration is now open and in full swing. Religious School is offered to children in prekindergarten through seventh grade, with a new Teen Tuesday program for seventh to ninth
graders. The hands-on experiential curriculum is always changing to include new and innovative ways to teach about history, the story of the Jewish people and Israel. Karen Susman, the director of Lifelong Learning, is now in her second year at Beth El and is busy
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This event will permit Sabbath observers to participate in and support the Komen event, which raises money for education, screening, research and the eradication of breast cancer. If you have any questions please contact Jeanne Sandberg, jsandberg@comcast.net.
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compiling new curriculum for our outstanding teaching staff. Beth El is thrilled as the School for Lifelong Learning continues to grow. If you would like additional information please call Karen Susman at 273-9100 or visit our website at www.bethelbeaches.org.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Kehillah Chadashah celebrates first year with Open House Many in the community have been following us for almost a year now. As a new community (kehillah chadashah), in our first year we: • established our mission and values; • held monthly Shabbat services as well as bi-monthly Havdalah services; • held High Holy Day services; • celebrated holidays like Simchat Torah, Tu B’shvat, Pesach, Purim and more as a community with exciting activities; • created a culture of spirituality and Tikkun Olam with activities like Jewish Disabilities Month, Global Nutrition Month, raising money for Israel after the forest fires, raising money for
Yad Lakashish serving elderly in Jerusalem, and more; • created a welcoming, inclusive and affirming community; • started our youth group, No’Ar Hadash, centered on Tikkun Olam; • created a web presence through our website (http://kehillahchadashah.org/), facebook and blog (http://kehillahchadashah. blogspot.com/); • conducted an interest survey; • incorporated as a congregation; • were accepted by the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation for affiliation; • and received two Torot from members of Beth Shalom. Now, a year later, we kick off our first membership campaign.
Summer Kollel returns to Etz Chaim This summer on Aug. 15 through the 22, Etz Chaim Synagogue will be hosting its annual Summer Kollel. This will be an exciting week of stimulating lectures, meaningful study and great ruach. The theme of this year’s Summer Kollel will be “Contemporary Challenges; Ancient Solutions.” The Kollel will be hosting a dynamic couple, Rabbi Chananel and Rivki Fishman from New Jersey, who will lecture on a variety of timely issues. The Summer Kollel will also host five Yeshiva students from New Jersey who will be available for one-on-one study sessions. The Kollel will have a morning
session following our daily minyan which will include breakfast. Every day there will be a lunch n’ learn as well as an evening session, which will also feature some local speakers. This is an opportunity for the entire Jewish community to explore and study in a meaningful way. Etz Chaim Synagogue is an orthodox synagogue open to all Jews and is under the leadership of Rabbi Yaakov Fisch. Etz Chaim offers multiple programs that enable Jews of any background to feel welcome and an opportunity for spiritual growth. For more information visit Etzchaim.org or call the synagogue office at 262-3565.
Temple hosts back-to-school Shabbat dinner to help JFCS By SAM GRISWOLD
Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) will host a backto-school Shabbat dinner on Aug. 19. In coordination with Jewish Family & Community Services, we will collect school supplies for families in need. Backpacks, pens, pencils, rulers and notebooks are particularly wanted. “As Jews we value education, and it is our mitzvah to help those in need,” said Goldie Lansky, executive director of Congregation Ahavath Chesed. “JFCS is a great way for us to reach those
who need our help most.” The dinner will start at 6 p.m. and will feature spaghetti, garlic bread and salad. The cost is $7 per adult and $5 per child over 3 years of age. We, of course, ask you to bring a donation of school supplies to help a child in need. Our Young Family Shabbat service will follow immediately at 7 p.m. with participation from our junior choir, HaKalot. To reserve your seat, or learn how you can help, contact the Temple office at (904) 733-7078, or email ddiggins@thetemplejacksonville.org.
We invite you to join us at this special, first-year membership rate of $260. In addition to our Shabbat, Havdalah and High Holy Day services, next year we will be building an educational
program for youth, adults and families, and planning more social activities. Here’s an opportunity to shape your congregation and let our spirit move you! To learn more about Kehillah
Chadashah, join us for our Open House at the home of Linda and David Levin on Aug. 21 starting at 10 a.m. For more information call 208-5191 or email kehillahchadashah@gmail.com.
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Exhibits at the Jewish Museum of Florida Isaac Bashevis Singer & His Artists Through August 28, 2011
Polish immigrant Singer, winner of the 1978 Nobel Prize for Literature, wrote in Yiddish and lived part of his life in Surfside, FL. 32 of his books were illustrated by the 17 artists on exhibit.
The Leo Frank Case Revisited Thru August 14, 2011
This riveting exhibit recounts the tragic 1913 murder of Mary Phagan, a 13-year old white Christian girl and controversial trial, conviction, death sentence and lynching of Leo Frank, Jewish superintendent of a pencil factory in Atlanta.
Beth El Comedy Brunch scheduled for Aug. 28 Don’t miss Beth El’s Comedy Brunch scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 28. Jewish comedian, David Glickman, will be performing his “Laughing From Right To Left” show. With a portable keyboard slung over his shoulders on a strap, he combines humor and music in an exciting show unlike anything you have ever seen. David has been a professional comedian and entertainer since 1985 and has presented over 2,000 programs. He has appeared on Evening At The Improv and several other national television shows. He has been the opening act for stars such as The Beach Boys, Engelbert Humperdinck,
Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano and more. David has worked with Steve Martin on a comedy project for CBS-TV and has performed at private parties for singer Gloria Estefan and former President Jimmy Carter. In 1994, he was voted Funniest Person in America in the Entenmann’s National Comedy Contest. The Comedy Brunch is open to the community. The cost is $36 per person which includes mimosas, Bloody Marys, a delicious brunch and fabulous entertainment! Sponsored tables are available and include priority seating. Please contact the Beth El office at 273-9100 to make your reservations.
Eric Carle, “And the animals gathered around Noah’s Ark,” from Why Noah Chose the Dove (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1974). Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
On loan from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion Museum, NYC
Exhibit created and circulated by The Breman Museum, Atlanta, GA. Local sponsors: Robert Arthur Segall Foundation, The David Berg Foundation and Jonathan & Tina Kislak Philanthropic Fund.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 11
www.jewishjacksonville.org
SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Rabbi Sandberg’s library finds a home at Temple By SAM GRISWOLD
Congregation Ahavath Chesed
Rabbi Martin Sandberg has always considered books to be something special. “Holding a book in your hand is much more satisfying than reading from a computer screen,” he said. With the closing of Beth Shalom in June, he needed to find another place to house his extensive collection. “My greatest concern was that the books find a great home,” he said. His choice? The Wurn Family Library at Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple). Sandberg started his collection in December 1967 while he was studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The Israeli government devalued its currency. Sandberg recognized an opportunity and immediately purchased several hundred dollars worth of books before the currency exchange stabilized, saving about 25 percent of their normal cost. Over the years, his collection grew to between 2,000 and 3,000 books. As you would expect, the diversity of this collection reflects the interests and personality of its owner. Rabbi Sandberg was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1973. He first served as rabbi to a congregation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From there, he served congregations in Tampa and Philadelphia before coming to Beth Shalom in 2004. “Should a congregant ask for a book on a certain subject, I always wanted to have it readily available,” he explained. “A rabbi’s first responsibility is to the members of his congregation, but he or she can’t rely on seminary training only. It is important to continue studying and to keep up to date on Jewish scholarship. These books were collected for that purpose, covering all aspects of Jewish tradition.” Sandberg is himself a published author, having written a book on tefillin, published by
United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism and two articles for Outlook magazine: “Tallit For Women” and “Tefillin For Women.” These were the first articles from within the Conservative movement to advocate the use of the ritual garb by women. When asked about which books were his favorite, he revealed a real passion for those who dealt with understanding Christianity from a Jewish perspective. There is the Jesus of history and the Christ of theology, he explained. When you read the New Testament; many of the passages only make sense in Hebrew, or Aramaic, as these were the languages spoken by Jesus and his disciples. “Jesus was a Jew and lived his life as a Jew,” he said. Those books that are duplicates, or are not added to the library shelves, will be included in the Sam Friedlander Rabbinic Book Exchange. This program of the Wurn Family Library has been in existence for over 25 years. Hundreds of new rabbis and smaller congregations across the country have been able to add to their collections for the cost of postage. This opportunity to help build the libraries of other rabbis and congregations is one of the reasons Rabbi Sandberg chose Temple as a home for his collection. “Giving away these books is like losing a child,” Rabbi Sandberg said. “My only consolation is that these books will serve the needs of lay people, clergy and scholars for years to come.” On June 20, library volunteers and nine members of Temple’s JAFTY youth program arrived at Beth Shalom to pack and bring these books to their new home at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. Temple congregant and board member, Malcolm Bloom provided the truck and extra manpower, as well. Temple Executive Director Goldie Lansky participated in the initial conversations with Rabbi Sandberg about his book collection and believes this to be a real
opportunity for not only the Jacksonville Jewish community, but also others around the country. “The Wurn Family Library is open to the entire community,
whether one is a Temple member or not,” she said. “Rabbi Sandberg’s generous offer will help to spread Jewish literacy not only here in Jacksonville but through
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page 12
Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;˘ August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP
Summer fun at camp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Israeli style in Jacksonville This July the air was filled with laughter, music and some Hebrew as we welcome eight Israeli teens and two chaperones to Jacksonville. Nimrod, Yuval, Shachaf, Noga, Alon, Amir, Inbal and Bat El and their chaperones Gila and Hila spent 12 days in Jacksonville as part of our Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Israel Partnership program. Our community has hosted Israeli counselors for the past 10 years. This year the teens helped in camps at the Jewish Community Alliance, Camp Ki Tov at
The Jacksonville Jewish Center and Camp Sheves Achim at Etz Chaim Synagogue. They shared stories about life in Israel and being a teen growing up there. In addition they planned activities to bring a taste of Israeli art, culture and life to all of the campers. Host families generously welcomed them to our community and engaged them in Jewish life in Northeast Florida. Several activities were planned to welcome them, and area teens participated.
Hadera-Eiron is Jacksonvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Israel Partnership community. The partnership program, sponsored by the Jacksonville Jewish Federation, creates personal connections between American Jews and Israelis. Iris Kraemer, local chair of the Israel Partnership commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This program reinforces the idea that Jews living in Israel and Jews living outside of Israel are all the same people, part of the same family.â&#x20AC;? For further information contact Joanne Cohen at the Federation.
Taglit-Birthright Group gathers in Jerusalem By JESSICA GOLDBERG
Israeli teens and chaperones arrive in Jacksonville July 21. Top row from left: Nimrod, Alon and Amir. Second row: Noga, Yuval, Shachaf, Inbal, chaperone Hila Levy and Israel Partnership Chair Iris Kraemer. Bottom row: chaperone Gila Kessler and Bet El.
On a breezy Saturday evening, after a day of engaging in various Shabbat activities, Taglit-Birthright Group 140 congregated in a Jerusalem park for an eye-opening discussion. As President of Hillel at Brandeis, I pay close attention to what is important to the average young Jew. Shabbat, Jewish learning, Jewish music, and having Jewish friends and family top that list â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so I thought. Exploring Israel for 10 days with 45 other American students
Partnership award presentation
PARTNERSHIP Continued from p. 1
those involved in the partnership for their creative input and ongoing commitment which enriches our global Jewish connection.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This award is yours and thanks to you,â&#x20AC;? consortium leaders wrote to the Federation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The energy you have put into this program,
your creativity and your leadership of your students, thinking outside of the box and adding new elements to this day, led to 2000 students in Israel and 200 students in the United States taking part in this special program that won the excellence award. Thank you for a significant educational effort to strengthen the Jewish identity and the bond with Israel in your educational facilities.â&#x20AC;?
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and Israeli peers, almost all of whom fall outside of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hillel bubble,â&#x20AC;? proved that our greatest common factor has little to do with Jewish practice. When our group leaders prompted us to identify the most significant contribution to our own Jewish identities, my response of â&#x20AC;&#x153;studying Torahâ&#x20AC;? was quickly drowned out by an almost unanimous sentiment: â&#x20AC;&#x153;calling myself a Jew.â&#x20AC;? In Israel, I witnessed 45 of my peers discovering Jewish pride; or as the Birthright organization says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jewish spirit.â&#x20AC;? By the end of the 10 days, everyone called Israel home and felt as if they had gained 45 brothers and sisters. Moreover, Israel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a powerful unifying force â&#x20AC;&#x201C; energized the group with Jewish spirit; the sense of pride in being a Jew above all, despite individual practices or beliefs; the feeling of obligation to the Jewish
people that is most powerfully acquired simply by calling oneself a Jew. I never realized the incompleteness of my own Jewish pride until I prayed while touching the Western Wall. Nothing is quite as beautiful and awakening as staring into the soul of the Jewish people and appreciating, for the first time, how much of your life, your ancestry, your future and the very core of your being emanate from the Jewish spirit. And now I understand the real purpose of Birthrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;free trip to Israel,â&#x20AC;? to awaken the Jewish spirit in young Jews everywhere.
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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 13
www.jewishjacksonville.org
Because we work
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page 14
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
Mud Day at the ‘J’
International Mud Day was celebrated and embraced at JCA’s Camp Gan Yeladim and KinderCamp. International Mud Day began in 2010 as a cultural exchange between children in Nepal and Australia. Sponsored by the World Forum Foundation’s Nature Action Collaborative for Children, it has now become a symbolic event designed to encourage outdoor experiences, fostering an appreciation of nature and a spirit of cooperative playfulness. At the JCA, campers enjoyed a positive sensory experience playing in mudfilled tables, wagons and buckets. Rusty Keeler, author and playground creator, stated, “It’s playing with the earth in the most rich, tactile way. Mud has microscopic bacteria that soothes you, relaxes you and calms you down.” The children made mud pies and mud cakes, and used shovels
or just fingers in the mud. Cleaning up with hoses was an added bonus! The whole day was a huge success and will be repeated again next year. Thanks to Diane Campbell, teacher and garden chairperson, for leading this awesome new event and to all of the wonderful, adventurous counselors and children.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;˘ August 2011
Tribute to Helene Baker
By SUSAN DATZ EDELMAN Congregation Ahavath Chesed
When noted artist Helene Sherter Baker died this spring, she left a legacy that most of us would wish for: a beloved family, a fulfilling career, a passion for living. But she will also long be remembered in the greater Jewish and art community because of her extraordinary talents which she so willingly shared. While Helene Bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paintings hang in numerous corporate headquarters, art galleries and private collections, one of the most enduring examples of her work graces the entry of Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple). In 2001, as the Temple was undergoing a major renovation, Helene designed the series of five stained glass panels to frame the front entry. Visible from San Jose Boulevard (and especially beautiful when seen at night, lit from within), they are most striking from inside the lobby, as the late afternoon sun brings Heleneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s layered design to life. Two outer panels echo the Bimah panels in the Templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sanctuary â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a juxtaposition of the columns of Biblical fire and the billowing clouds. The three
page 15
www.jewishjacksonville.org another stained glass window in the Templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lobby, just feet away from her own. Now the two friendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; artistic visions endure together, in a space where everyone can appreciate their beauty.
panels in between include the scales of justice, the Star of David, the Judean mountains and the sky, with repeating references to the iconic ironwork that decorated The Templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former home in Riverside. The words of the Shema appear on one panel; the other contains a passage from the Talmud (Baba Batra: 74a): â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come, let me show you a place where heaven and earth seem so close that it appears they are kissing.â&#x20AC;? Heleneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Meryl Rittenberg remembers her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspiration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of my oldest girlfriends were at my house for Shabbat, and my parents were there, and one of my friends talked about a quote from the Baal Shem Tov about â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heaven and earth are kissingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and my mother was very taken with that,â&#x20AC;? she recalled. While the five signature stained glass panels were Heleneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first foray into designing for stained glass, they were not her last. Ironically, her dear friend and fellow artist, Bobbi Yoffee, had also submitted a design for the five signature windows in 2001. When Bobbi died a few years later, Helene was asked to transform Bobbiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five-panel vision into a different space for
SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Art history teacher and collector Cindy Edelman greatly admired Helene. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Helene Baker was a local art treasure, someone who readily gave of her time and considerable talents to not only
our synagogue and the Jewish community, but to the Cummer, MOCA and to UNF where her works graced the walls of the Lufrano Galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening exhibition,â&#x20AC;? she noted.
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page 16
Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;˘ August 2011
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SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Jacksonville Jewish Center welcomes new second rabbi The Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Jewish Center is pleased to announce the engagement of Rabbi Jesse Olitzky as its new second rabbi, and welcomes him, along with his wife Andrea and daughter Cayla, to our community. Rabbi Olitzky grew up in North Brunswick, N.J., as an active member of a conservative synagogue, Congregation Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Tikvah. Although he comes from a family of rabbis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his father Kerry Olitzky is the executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute and his brother Avi Olitzky is the assistant rabbi at Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park, Minn. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jesse Olitzky had little interest in the rabbinate at a young age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone assumed that I would go into the family business,â&#x20AC;? he joked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but I was more of a rebellious rabbiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son.â&#x20AC;? He finally found his entry point and fell in love with Judaism and Jewish community through his involvement in United Synagogue Youth, serving first at chapter and regional levels, and ultimately becoming International USY president. His experiences in USY led him to List College and the joint program of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, where he received a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Talmud and another in religion. Rabbi Olitzky and Andrea, a social worker, met and began dating in college and were married in 2007. They are the proud parents of a 6-month-old daughter, Cayla Penina. Jonathan Lubliner, senior rabbi of the Center, is delighted to welcome Rabbi Olitzky to the clergy team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To become the transformative synagogue weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fully capable of being, we need to create collaborative synergies between every arm and demographic group within our community,â&#x20AC;? he remarked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rabbi Olitzky has the training, energy and talent to make a palpable difference in the way our schools and youth groups
Israel in Kingston, N.Y., and of Temple Emanuel in Parkchester, N.Y. During his seminary years Rabbi Olitzky served as a Schusterman fellow, and was awarded a Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Fellowship,. Rabbi Olitzky has been
intersect on Shabbat and during the week; he will undoubtedly have a positive impact on congregants of all ages. Hazzan Holzer and I look forward to forging a dynamic partnership with our colleague as we take our congregation to the next level.â&#x20AC;? This sentiment was echoed by Nancy Davis and Steven Mizrahi, co-chairs of the Second Rabbi Search Committee. Both were impressed with Rabbi Olitzkyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credentials and demeanor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He brings tremendous positive energy to whatever he does,â&#x20AC;? said Nancy Davis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His passion for teaching â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as learning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is evident and exciting. He has an amazing ability to understand and relate to people of all ages.â&#x20AC;? Steven Mizrahi agreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rabbi O is a very warm individual who seeks out personal relationships, regardless of age. He loves everyone, and his innate ability to bond with youth will create bridges and connections among peers throughout the JJC community. I hope the entire community embraces him as much as he will embrace the entire community.â&#x20AC;? In addition to his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Olitzky also received a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Jewish education from the seminaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s William Davidson School of Education. While a student, he served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Ahavath
a leader and educator for Jewish youth since 2001. He has taught at Hebrew schools and Hebrew high schools in Manhattan, Long Island and Connecticut, worked extensively with USY and Camp Ramah.
Rabbi Olitzky looks forward to offering the same impassioned commitment he brings to rooting for his beloved Baltimore Orioles. Whether in sports or on the pulpit, Rabbi Olitzky observed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a rabbi youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to have faith!â&#x20AC;?
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www.jewishjacksonville.org
page 17
SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Temple Bet Yam holds membership drive and religious school open house
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“As an experienced financial advisor, I can help you achieve your lifetime and legacy goals.” TBY kids at last year’s Religious School Open House did a craft while prospective new members chatted with current members. Come one, come all! See what Temple Bet Yam, the only reform congregation in St. Augustine, has to offer. Bring your kids for the Religious School Open House. There will be a preview of the upcoming Religious School year, and the kids will be able to do a craft. The Hard Lox Café will be open and serving bagels and lox. Save the date, Sunday, Aug.
28, starting at 9 a.m. Come and meet current members of our TBY family as well as our wonderful Religious School director and other members of the board. Temple Bet Yam is located at 2055 Wildwood Drive in St. Augustine, just off I-95 at State Road 207. Please visit our website at www.templebetyam.org or call 904-819-1875 for more information.
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page 18
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
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SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Kehillah Chadashah sets new services Kehillah Chadashah had a full year its first year and has planned an exciting and spiritual second year. Anyone is invited to attend and participate. Upcoming events include: • Aug. 12 at 7 p.m., Shabbat services • Aug. 21at 10 a.m., Open House • Aug. 27 at 7 p.m., Havdalah services • Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., Shabbat
services • Sept. 24 –Oct. 8, High Holy Day services (see ad for details) • Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., Sukkot Havdalah • Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., Simchat Torah Shabbat and Torah dedication • Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., Shabbat services • Nov. 13, Trip to Savannah and Congregation Mickve Israel (one of the oldest synagogues in the country)
• Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., Shabbat services • Dec. 24 at 7 p.m., Chanukah Havdalah For details call 208-5191 or email kehillahchadashah@ gmail.com. Visit our website at kehillahchadashah.org and friend request us on Facebook to stay connected. Look for more information on our new education program for youth, adults and families.
Beth Shalom passes on Torot, tallism For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven This past year is marked with significant change in the Jacksonville Jewish Community – the closing of Beth Shalom and the start of Kehillah Chadashah. Beth Shalom had a rich history of 40 years of births, deaths, b’nai mitzvot, weddings, community service and traditions. It is a loss to any community when a synagogue has to close. It is a particular loss for Jack-
sonville to lose Beth Shalom. However, not all is in vain. As Beth Shalom closed its doors it shared with Kehillah Chadashah the richness of its history through the passing on of two Torot, tallism and other ritual objects. In addition, the Beth Shalom Sisterhood gave Kehillah Chadashah what remained of their gift shop items to help Kehillah Chadashah start their own and help raise funds for its new community.
As a new congregation in this community, Kehillah Chadashah is most appreciative of Beth Shalom, its members and its sisterhood in being supportive through the contribution of these items. Kehillah Chadashah will cherish and honor these items as a new season for our congregation is preparing to bloom and grow. The memory of Beth Shalom will live on in the life of Kehillah Chadashah!
Beth El synagogue launches Shofar Corps In anticipation of High Holiday services, Beth El the Beaches Synagogue is offering a learning opportunity for the sounding of the shofar. The class will be taught by Cathy Winterfield, who has been sounding the shofar in the Jacksonville area for over 20 years.
The classes will be held at Beth El, 288 North Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, during the later part of August and early September. Bring your shofar and have some fun! In addition, Karen Susman, director of Lifelong Learning,
will be holding a Make Your Own Shofar workshop for Beth El Religious School students. All students are welcome to join our corps for High Holidays. For further information, please call Beth Small, synagogue administrator, 904-2739100.
Introduction to Judaism changes a life On Christmas Eve 2009, with the tree lights blinking in the background, my husband of 25 years told the kids (20 and 18) and I that he was leaving for a family friend (Who was leaving her husband). This started a free fall... Over the next few months, I started reaching out to find comfort and peace. As Abe Lincoln once said, “If you have no place else to go, you go to your knees.” How true! My first stop was back to the Presbyterian Church, where I’d been a member for over 50 years. Nope. Methodist church. Nope. River City Church (a mission church). Nope. Scientology. Nope. Last summer, I saw an ad in the paper for the class, “A Taste of Judaism.” Thought I’d try this. Well that was it. I was hooked. I followed this up with “Introduction to Judaism” a few weeks later. I fell in love with Rabbi Lief, the Temple, the classes, the music, etc. I walk in the door and feel that there is nowhere else I would rather be. The Temple has been a godsend in many ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting me participate with you in
worship. I cannot thank you enough for being there for me. This divorce has been intense; but hopefully it will not be the duration. The Temple has proved to be a salve for a weary soul. - Liz Figura Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) will again offer an Introduction to Judaism on Thursdays, Aug. 11 to Dec. 8, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Whether you are seeking a richer understanding of your Jewish heritage, a connection to a community, a beginning discovery of faith, this course is for you. Over 18 weeks, Introduction to Judaism will cover many aspects of Reform Judaism including God concepts, liturgy, holidays, sacred texts, ritual, Israel and more. We welcome congregants, unaffiliated Jews, non-Jews, people who love Jews and people who are loved by Jews. There is a $100 fee for this course to cover the cost of training and materials. For more information, or to register, contact the Temple office at (904) 7337078, or email us at learning@ thetemplejacksonville.org.
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Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;¢ August 2011
page 19
www.jewishjacksonville.org
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page 20
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
Family Fun Day at the JCA
The JCA’s 4th of July Family Fun Day featured pool games, food and music.
904.730.2100 wwwjcajax.org
JCA Open House Sunday, Aug. 21 Noon – 4 p.m. Membership Specials Come for a tour!
Vandroff Art Gallery
The Vandroff Art Gallery will exhibit the paintings of Emily and Sydney Vandroff from July 22 to Aug. 24. The Vandroff sisters are talented artists and we are happy to show the work of the next generation of a family that supports the arts at the JCA. Emily attends the University of Florida and Sydney is a student at The Bolles School. The Vandroff family is a charter member of the JCA. Beginning Aug. 26, photos by members of the Jacksonville Camera Club will be on display.
SAVE THE DATE 3rd Annual Early Childhood Symposium
“The Whole Child – Fit Mind & Body” symposium is set for Sept. 20, 2011. Nationally recognized keynote speaker, Ellen Booth Church, addresses the Joyful Art of Problem Solving -- The Mind Body Connection. Educators and parents will enjoy an evening of stimulating breakout sessions, professional resources and dinner. Inservice and CEUs available. Call 730- 2100 ext. 259 for more details.
JCA Film series
The JCA Film Series presents a free showing of “Imagine This” at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 18. This compelling, inspiring, original musical is a personal journey through one of the most devastating periods of world his-
tory, but above all, it is a story of hope. In this recording of a live performance in London’s West End, “Imagine This” speaks to the strength of the human spirit, to man’s determination to survive in the face of hatred and evil, and to love in a world where love seems impossible. Attendance is free and open to the entire community.
Come Explore a Taste of the Arts
Have you ever thought about attending one of our art classes, but weren’t quite sure? Well, here’s your chance to meet three of our very talented instructors, Kim Miller (drawing), Gordon Meggison (watercolor/ oil painting), and Christie Rogers (pottery). Have your questions answered while enjoying a light nosh from 11 a.m. to noon on Aug. 21. This event is free and open to all.
Save the Dates
Join us for this year‘s Jewish Book Festival in the first two weeks of November. Speaker topics will include: • The role of economics in a successful marriage. • Raising responsible kids. • Dealing with the aging process. • Unrest and the Middle East. • Murder and suspense. And the first annual Jewish film festival is coming to the JCA. From Feb. 18 to 21, see the latest in Jewish and Israeli films.
Jr. LAX Skills Clinic
Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the USA and the JCA is offering an outstanding lacrosse skills clinic that will teach the sport to all ability levels. The clinic will utilize a variety of drills to master the fundamentals and then apply those skills learned in a game format led by former high school/college players and local area coaches. Each player will need to provide his own equipment: (helmet, lax stick, protective gloves, shoulder pads, cleats, mouthpiece, athletic support/cup). Clinic dates are Sundays from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6. Times are 3:15-4:30 p.m. for ages 7-11
and 4:30-6 p.m. for ages 12 to 16. The fee is $100 for JCA members and $150 for nonmembers. Call Rio at 730-2100 ext. 250 or email rio.robinson@jcajax.org for more information.
Youth Soccer League
The JCA Youth Soccer League for ages 4 to 14 is back for another action-packed soccer season. League’s Philosophy: Help develop young athletes into fundamentally sound soccer players, while having fun in an organized, competitive and social atmosphere. Game dates are Sundays from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6. The fee is $100 for JCA members and $150 for non-members. A Mandatory Skills Evaluation will be held on Aug. 28 for these ages: 4 - 5/1 p.m., 6 - 7/2 p.m. 8 - 10/3 p.m., and 11 - 14/4 p.m. If you cannot attend the skills evaluation, please call ext. 254 to schedule a make-up. Practices will occur one hour before the game, making this league your one-stop shop for all of your athlete’s soccer league needs! Call or email Rio at 7302100 ext. 250 or rio.robinson@ jcajax.org if you want to volunteer to coach.
Practical Martial Arts for Adults
The JCA offers a martial arts class for men and women encompassing Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Brazilian techniques. Students age 16 and above are eligible. The class meets Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning on Sept. 13. The fee is $128 for JCA members and $192 for non-members. The class will include striking, blocking, falling techniques, joint locking/manipulation, pressure points, grappling and breaking. There will be sparring in this class for practical learning. This class is for people of all levels from beginners to advanced martial artists and promises to have something new for everybody. Please wear sweat pants/ yoga pants and t-shirts. No shorts. The class will be taught barefoot, so no shoes, sneakers
or sandals, please. Instructor David Berman has studied and taught martial arts for 25 years. He holds black belt or higher designations in Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jujitsu, Ninjitsu and Shotokan and has studied with some of the most highly decorated martial artists in the world.
Private Swim Lessons
Learn to swim or learn to swim more efficiently. Our one-on-one private instruction for children, adults and seniors will lead you closer to your individual goal. A minimum of four 30-minute lessons is required. Per-lesson fee is $30 for JCA members and $45 for non-members. The JCA offers an 8-lesson special for $210 for JCA members and $315 for non-members.
JCA Tennis: Something for everyone
The JCA offers tennis lessons and programs for all age groups and ability levels. Programs starting in late August and early September include: • Junior competitive for ages 10 to 17. • Ladies’ A, B and C Teams for ages 18+. • Mighty Mites for 5- to 6-yearolds. Private tennis lessons also are available. Call 730-2100 ext. 317 for more information.
Women’s Self-Defense Class
This class is designed for all women regardless of strength, flexibility, coordination and size. It will address precautionary steps women can take to protect themselves as well as practical ways to defend oneself in dangerous or lifethreatening situations, ultimately restoring confidence and eliminating fear. The class meets from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 18. The fee is $40 for JCA members and $60 for nonmembers.
JCA Fencing
Nationally recognized instructor Raul Toro and his teaching staff
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 2010 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $187,450
from the Jacksonville Fencing Club will instruct you in the art of fencing which teaches self-confidence, discipline and tradition. The JCA will provide equipment for the beginner’s classes. If you qualify and register for the advanced class, you will be required to purchase your own equipment from the instructor. Youth (age 7-13) and adult classes are offered for beginner and advanced levels. The fee is $105 for JCA members and $158 for non-members. Call 730-2100 ext. 250 for more information.
Year-Round Makos Swim Team
Our year-round Makos swim team emphasizes aerobic conditioning as well as technique in all competitive strokes. Register for two days (Monday & Wednesday) or four days (Monday Thursday). Ages 5 to 18 are eligible to join. The monthly fee for two days is $55 for JCA members and $82 for non-members; the monthly fee for four days is $70 for JCA members and $105 for nonmembers.
JCA Swim School
The JCA Swim School was developed for participants who seek a fun and safe environment to learn the art of swimming. Our indoor pool is heated to 84 degrees year-round. During the lessons, children will be introduced to breath control, kicking, safe entry into the pool and exit from the pool. As lessons progress, the focus will be on continued development of the basic swimming strokes and will continue until the child has completed all necessary skills to reach a higher level of swimming proficiency. Children will experience a group lesson structure in small groups, building on skills and learning new techniques. Weekday lessons will provide 30 minutes of structured teaching in a group setting of 2 to 5 children. Sunday lessons will be 45 minutes of structured teaching in a setting of 2 to 5 children. Children age 6 months to 6 years are eligible. For more information, call 730-2100 ext. 240.
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 21
www.jewishjacksonville.org
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Meet Foundation Board Member: Hal Resnick President’s Corner:
Next steps to document your legacy plan By MARK GREEN
You have signed a Create a Jewish Legacy Declaration of Intent to remember Jewish causes in your will or estate plan. You may be wondering what to do next. You may not know how much you want to leave, how best to fund your personal legacy plan or even which specific charities you would like to support. Our Jewish Community Foundation is here to help you ensure that your legacy plan is properly documented. When you create your Jewish legacy plan with Foundation assistance, you can rest assured that your wishes will always be honored. JCF professionals have the expertise to assist you with different ideas for funding your legacy. Did you know that the most common method is through your will? You can leave a charitable gift, to the Foundation, of a percent of your estate that is comfortable for you. Assets passed to the Foundation through your will, after you are no longer with us and no longer need them, may reduce taxes to your estate and heirs and will benefit charities you designated in your legacy plan. You decide what those causes will be. Every gift will have a lasting impact on the causes you care about! Your legacy to the Jewish community will ensure a vibrant and secure future for generations to follow. Contact the Foundation at 394-0720 to speak with a JCF professional at no cost and with no obligation. Become our fan on Facebook Visit us on YouTube “Celebration CJL”
Our Jewish Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Dr. Harold Resnick as the newest member of the board. In 2000 Hal and his wife, Barbara, moved from Boston to Ponte Vedra Beach. They quickly became involved in the local Jewish community, joined The Temple and Beth El, and participated in several Federation missions. Hal shared that his involvement with the Jewish organizations here and the missions to Israel were enlightening experiences. He said, “After seeing the needs first-hand, I decided I wanted to become more involved.” Even before accepting the nomination to the JCF board, Hal helped author and guide our community CJL Strategic Plan. He has
recently completed an eight year term on The Temple Board and currently serves on the Federation Board as Campaign Chair and chaired the 2011 Allocations Committee. He is also a member of the JFCS Board. Hal describes his service to these organizations as an honor. He commented, “Through chairing the Federation allocations committee, it became clear to me how critical and vital the role of the Foundation and CJL are to securing the future of our collective Jewish heritage.” To this international organizational development consultant, former professor, author, corporate executive and entrepreneur, “Some of the most rewarding moments of my career occur when clients tell me they now see
the world differently and feel empowered to contribute more to the organizations they serve.” “Very few people want to be remembered by the material things they accumulated in their lifetime. Rather, they want their legacy to be about the contributions they made, and the love and values they helped to instill in others. For me, working with the Jewish community to help secure our future is essential. We have a 3,000-year heritage, and it is our generation’s responsibility to protect and preserve that heritage for future generations. For us to do so requires the development of a baseline foundation of funds that will enable us to respond to our community’s financial needs
in perpetuity. Every university, hospital, research center and major charity understands this as they actively seek gifts to their endowments. Our Jewish Foundation and CJL programs offer the Jewish community an opportunity to similarly endow our heritage both here in Jacksonville and all over the world.”
Faces of CJL: Eunice and Barry Zisser For Eunice and Barry Zisser, the Jewish values they learned from their parents are the goals that they strive to achieve in the community in which they live. Ten years ago they created their Jewish legacy with the Foundation. Eunice and Barry have been active and involved members of the Jacksonville Jewish community for 48 years. Thirty-nine years ago the Zisser’s were among the 13 founding families of Beth Shalom Congregation. Barry is a member of the Federation board and the Foundation board; a past member of the JCA board and Southeast Region United Synagogue of America Board; a past president of Beth Shalom Congregation, a member of the Board of Directors, trustee and an adviser (Yo Etz). Eunice has been acknowledged for her involvement in the community and was presented the JFCS Volunteer of the Year Award
at the 2008 Annual Meeting. She has served on the boards of JFCS and Beth Shalom Congregation and as Beth Shalom Membership VP and sisterhood president. She is also a Hadassah past president and serves on the Foundation PR/Marketing and community CJL host committees. Barry and Eunice had the occasion to address the Jan. 13 CJL Celebration audience to share their story. “All of the work we are doing with CJL, together with what we are doing for the Jewish community, will benefit our children, our grandchildren and, hopefully, generations to come – all so that the Jewish community of the future will be financially strong.” “Our five grandchildren are being trained in the necessity of Tzedakah and knowing that it is their obligation for the perpetuation of their Jewish heritage. We are proud to be passing through our children, Melinda,
who is a pilot with Continental Airlines, and Howard, who is a physician in Santa Barbara, Calif., to their children, this legacy instilled in us by our parents.”
CJL news: Q & A Would you like to impact the future of the Jewish community? Is creating your Jewish legacy right for you? Q: Did you know that a legacy plan may be funded with a gift in your will of a percent of your estate that is meaningful to you? A: Legacy gifts are funded after you are no longer with us and won’t need your assets. Every gift counts and will have a lasting impact on causes you care about! Life insurance, IRAs and other assets are legacy gift options, too. Q: Did you know a Foundation professional is available to assist you with creating your legacy confidentially at no cost and with no obligation? A: JCF professionals have expertise to assist you with ideas for funding your legacy and documenting your intent, and will ensure your wishes are always honored. Q: Did you know that through Foundation you can leave gifts to any Jewish causes you care about? A: JCF will help you create a customized legacy plan to benefit causes meaningful to you, wherever they are. Q: Did you know you can declare your intent even if you don’t know which causes, how much you want to leave or how to fund the gift? A: Sign a declaration and demonstrate you care about the future of the Jewish community. Q: Did you know that you can create a legacy fund in your name or the name of a loved one, that keeps giving even after you are no longer
with us? A: Annual distributions are made in your name in perpetuity and will be used according to intentions documented in your legacy plan.
Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida 904.394.0720 • jacksonvillejewishfoundation.org Become our fan on Facebook ● Visit us on YouTube “Celebration CJL”
The Jewish Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Inc., does not provide legal or tax advice. This information is not intended, nor may it be relied upon, as legal, accounting or other professional advice. Before making any financial decisions always consult your own professional advisor.
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA 2010 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $72,000
page 22
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
RIVER GARDEN
Maxine Romo and Dot Verstandig to co-chair Gala It will be a rockin’ evening on Saturday, Nov. 12, as Rockapella, a pop vocal group that melds rock music with a cappella singing, takes the stage at the 19th annual River Garden Foundation Gala. The Gala will be held at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. SunTrust Bank will again serve as Premier Gala Sponsor. The black-tie evening will also include dancing to the sounds of the Murray Goff Connection, fine dining, a silent auction and more. The silent auction will be greatly enhanced this year, said Maxine Romo, event cochair, with a special array of themed baskets for different ages and interests. Co-chairing the event is Dorothy Verstandig. Romo and Verstandig are excited about the introduction for the first time of reduced-price tickets to encourage atten-
dance by younger people. These Junior Patron tickets, for those 40 and under, are available for $175 per person.
Both Gala co-chairs are active members of the community. Maxine Romo serves on the Jacksonville Jewish Center Sisterhood board; was
president from 2000 to 2002; and was treasurer of the Florida Regional Board for Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. She has volunteered in the River Garden gift shop since moving to Jacksonville in 1994; serves on the auxiliary board; and was Auxiliary Donor Event chair for the past two years. She and her husband, Don, have been married for 48 years. They have two children, Steven and Tracy; and three grandchildren, Amanda, 12, Madison, 8, and Alex, 5. Dorothy Verstandig served for 20 years as director of Community Services at River Garden and concurrently served as administrator of The Coves. She continues as an executive consultant to River Garden. She serves on the JCA board of directors and was a member of the Leadership Jackson-
The Coves ‘Happy Hookers’ The Coves knitting group recently got together to The group has 15 members who participate with show off their handiwork. A display of their projects an average of eight members attending each week. was presented in The Coves Dining Room. Even Mrs. Goetz said of the group, “It’s something we while they had their works on display, they were can take with us and work on wherever we go. You knitting the can see people entire time. knitting all over They have been The Coves. working hard to Some of these create an abunladies haven’t dant supply of picked up lap blankets for needles in 20 River Garden years, but it’s residents. The something you colors and never forget. designs of the We are glad to lap blankets be able to help are as varied the residents of and beautiful as River Garden.” those who have The lap been working blankets will on therm. They be donated to have quite a River Garden collection of to help keep the blankets and residents comfy yarn. All colors and warm. of the rainbow, A few members of the Happy Hookers Knitting Group display their The group has plus a few plans for the handiwork. Left to right: Elinor Silverman, Fran Young, Celia Bialik, more! winter months, Cecile Goetz, Eleanore Dorman and Roz Melker Mrs. Cecile too. They have Goetz started the group a few months back. She started working on scarves with hopes they can be organizes the group and the yarn. The ladies get sold in the gift shop. The ladies named themselves together Sunday nights and do much more than knit. the Happy Hookers Knitting Group. They talk and share stories as they knit, and it helps Ladies, keep up the good work; it is greatly aptake the mind off any troubles. preciated!
Building our Future Together – Capital Campaign Update On June 15, River Garden hosted a dessert reception at the beautiful home of Capital Campaign Co-chair Susan DuBow. More than 45 donors and potential donors gathered to learn more about River Garden’s exciting project to grow the agency’s Outpatient Therapy, Adult Day and Home Healthcare programs. River Garden Holding Company President Ron Elinoff and River Garden CEO Martin A. Goetz shared the progress of the 10,000-square-foot addition and the existing building refurbishment. Cochairs Sandy Zimmerman and Susan DuBow spoke about their love of River Garden, the fact that it is an integral part of the community and how important it is for everyone to support this project. Thank you to Linda and David Stein for being honorary chairs of this extraordinary campaign. River Garden is pleased to announce that, to date, the campaign has raised more than $4.3 million.
ville Class of 1992. She and her husband, Harry, have been married for 48 years. They have three children, Lauren, Wendy and Jennifer, who passed away last year; and six grandchildren, Marni, 15, Dillon, 15, Brooke, 13, Gil, 10, Elizabeth, 6, and Jake, 5-1/2. Gala sponsorship levels range from $1,000 to $15,000, and regular individual ticket prices begin at $250. All proceeds benefit River Garden residents. More than 50 percent of residents receive Medicaid, and the home must raise approximately $1.3 million a year to make up the difference between the cost of care and the amount received from Medicaid. “The ever-increasing needs of our residents, coupled with the decrease in funding from our government, present us with an even bigger challenge this year,” said Gala co-chair Dorothy Verstandig. For more information, call development director Kathy Osterer at 904-8868430; email kosterer@rivergarden.org; or visit the exclusive Gala website at www. rivergardengala.wordpress.com.
Construction Charley update
The last week of June saw the pouring of the first floor slab. Outer walls of the second floor are near completion and structural steel erection for the roof is anticipated by mid July. Interior wall layout has begun as well as the plumbing, rough electrical, fire sprinkler system and HVAC.
How Do You Want To Be Remembered? Please help create your own Jewish Legacy by remembering River Garden and our Jacksonville Jewish Community in your Will. From generation to generation L’Dor V’Dor. For more information contact River Garden Development office at 904.886.8432 or Development@rivergarden.org or Jewish Community Foundation at 904.394.0720.
For more information, contact Beth Wolpoff, 904.886.8410 or bwolpoff@rivergarden.org, or Kathy Osterer, 904.886.8430 or kosterer@rivergarden.org. Information is also available on the River Garden website, www.rivergarden.org.
RIVER GARDEN 2010 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $187,450
Remember River Garden when you would like to honor or memorialize your loved ones. Donations should be sent to: Development Department River Garden Hebrew Home 11401 Old Saint Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, Florida 32258 904.886.8432
Donations can be made via the web at
www.rivergarden.org/donations.html
904.260.1818
www.rivergarden.org
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 23
www.jewishjacksonville.org
JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Easing into the school year need, but at least it’s a head start. And the more you can do ahead of time, the less stressed you and your child will be. • If your child is transitioning to a new school this year, make a visit over the summer Dupont Counseling Group – w/logo and photo of Jo Jo to get familiar with the surroundings. See the reading a book classroom, the building/office, etc. If your child It seems hard to believe that the summer is almost over. is taking the school bus for the first time, then Just as we are getting into the relaxed schedule (staying go for a dry run on the route the bus would up a little later, living in bathing suits and eating popsicles travel. The more prepared we are and the more all day), the anxiety of starting the new school year begins we can predict behavior and situations, the less to creep up. For many, preparing for this time can often anxiety we will carry. This is especially true for be an overwhelming task. So how do we counteract this? children. Especially when family vacations and summer camps usu• Prepare the teacher. If your child ally last right up until the time school starts. The answer is has special accommodations or needs let the simple. Easing teacher know before school starts. Emailing in – the key to most successful transitions. But rememthe teacher ahead of time, dropping a note or ber, easing in means no procrastinating, scheduling an appointment not waiting until the day before or the are good ways to connect. week school begins to get what you need. DUPONT • Don’t forget the routine! Maybe So then how can we get everything done COUNSELING about a week before school begins, get with little or no stress? The following are GROUP back into the school-year structure in some ideas and guidelines to consider: % 4VSKVEQ SJ .I[MWL *EQMP] 'SQQYRMX] 7IVZMGIW the home – earlier dinner or bedtime, • Purchase school supplies and or whatever it is for your family to get school clothing early. You don’t have to prepared. wait until you receive the class list. Throughout the year • Reading books about experiences your child may when you see items on sale, purchase them and store in have. Beginning kindergarten, making new friends or deala closet until school starts. It may not be everything you
By RACHEL WEINSTEIN, LMHC Manager of Clinical Services
Senior solutions
448-1933 www.jfcsjax.org Jewish Healing Network
Oui love our volunteers Jewish Healing Network volunteers will be recognized at our annual Volunteer Get-Together on Sunday, Aug. 28. This year’s theme is “Oui Love Our Volunteers,” and one of the highlights will include a French cooking demonstration by Chef Alison Kaplon of Cooking Creations by Ali. For information about how you can become a JHN volunteer as well, call 394-5737.
Koleinu
Koleinu’s Fall Workshop will feature the film and guided discussion, “Praying with Lior.” If you are a parent of a special needs child and not already on our mailing list, contact Naomi Mirensky at 394-5777 or nmirensky@jfcsjax.org.
Plugging in at JFCS: Are you involved?
JFCS is starting a new year with big plans but we need your help! JFCS is in search of volunteers to help, plan, organize and implement various successful fun events throughout the year. If you’re creative, innovative, organized, idea- and action-oriented, hard-working and loves to have a good time for a great cause, contact Heather R. Corey, director of Development & Marketing, at 394-5727 or hcorey@jfcsjax.org, to volunteer now. Plug into JFCS today and transform a life tomorrow!
Tips to help prevent Medicare fraud •Do protect your Medicare number – treat your card like a credit card. Never give your number in exchange for free medical equipment or any other offer. •Do ask questions! You have a right to know everything about your medical care including the costs billed to Medicare. •Do use a calendar to record all doctor appointments and tests. Check your statement or MSP (Medicare Summary Notice) for any errors. •Do report suspected errors, fraud or abuse to the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-866-357-6677 or 1-800-MEDICARE. •Do remember that Medicare does not sell anything – “It’s shrewd to be rude.” •Do make sure you understand how a plan works before you join. •Do check your pills before you leave pharmacy or those from mail pharmacy. •Do review your Medicare & You Handbook for important information and resources. •Do call SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) – for help with questions 1-800-963-5337. •Do call Eldercare Advocate Shelley Kulchin (3945722) or Naomi Mirensky (394-5777) for guidance and information on local resources.
Foods of the month for August
The Winn-Dixie Emergency Food Pantry at JFCS appreciates donations of nonperishable foods and funds throughout the year. Suggested food donations for this month: • peanut butter • jelly • rice • pasta • tomato sauce • mac & cheese • tuna • canned fruits • juices
Kosher Kart
Did you know that our Kosher Kart program is a great alternative for seniors, individuals recuperating from illness or hospitalization and college students. They're an easy meal alternative – and they're good, affordable and Kosher, too. Call 224-6287 for information.
ing with bullies are some examples. Reading is a great way to engage your child in the talking that you will want to continue throughout the school year. • And most importantly: RELAX! The more your child sees you are excited about their entrance to the school year, the easier it will be. Your positive attitude will only encourage and model the same to your child. So to all of you families, we wish you a safe and successful upcoming school year and hope your transition to the new beginning is an easy one!
Transportation program is on the move
The CALL2GO program at JFCS has provided 1,000 rides in the past year. Our vendor, Coastal Cab, has exceeded our expectations. Our clients are riding to synagogues, visiting their doctors and dentists, attending symphony concerts and going grocery shopping. This is a great way for seniors to remain independent, arrange for their own rides and, as they say, “leave the driving to us.” And don’t forget, rides to synagogue for religious services – whether for Shabbat or Shavuot – are absolutely free. Please call Sue Kornhauser at 224-6287 with your transportation requests.
Do you need a ride? Call us:
224-6287
The Department of Jewish Services works in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville to provide programs and services that meet the specialized needs of the Jewish community.
Honorable Menschen
We would like to recognize those volunteers who joined us in recent months to make our lives, and those of our clients, easier: Paula Caplan, Judy Greenberg, Judy Greenfield, Natalie Kelly, Shelley Rabon, Stacia Rosenblum, Marcia Strommer and Pearl Williams
JFCS Business Partners
Their support, contributions and business expertise helped us to better serve the Northeast Florida community: Assessment Technologies Group; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida; Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue; Beth Shalom Congregation; Coastal Cab; Congregation Ahavath Chesed; Darifair; Jacksonville Jewish Center; Raven Transport; Winn-Dixie; and Work Systems Associates, Inc. Thank you!
Create Your Jewish Legacy
Please remember Jewish Family & Community Services and the Jewish community in your will.
JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES 2010 FEDERATION ALLOCATION: $257,200
page 24
Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
LIFECYCLES Births
Ilyse and Michael Vaughan announce the birth of their daughter Iyla Melvie, born on April 13, 2011, weighing 7 lbs, 2 oz. Iyla is named after her late grandfather Melvin Fine. Iyla was given her Hebrew name at Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue on June 10, 2011, Ilana Malcah. Welcome to this world Iyla! Joshua Paul Rubin, son of Jennifer and Steven Rubin of Milford, Conn., was born on June 22, 2011. Grandparents are Arlene Rubin (the late Paul Rubin), and Karen and Alan Halpern of New York City.
B’nai Mitzvah
Daniel Gefen, son of Ed and Robin Gefen, will be called to the Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah on Aug. 27, 2011, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. Sharing in the simcha will be his sister, Laura, 15; grandparents Janet G. Cohen of Sarasota; Alan and Carol Gefen of Nashua, N.H.; Jeanne and William Todd of Umatilla; and Dr. Robert C. Nuss and Dr. Ann Harwood-Nuss of Jacksonville; and many other friends and family. Danny is in seventh grade at Fruit Cove Middle School. He enjoys singing in Hakolot, the Temple’s junior choir. Jordan Goldberg, son of Audrey and Marc Goldberg, will be called to the Torah on the occasion
of his Bar Mitzvah on Aug. 20, 2011, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. Sharing in the simcha will be his siblings, Josh, 24, Jessica, 20, and Emily, 15; and grandparents, Mel and Lila Goldberg. Jordan will be in the eighth grade at Fruit Cove Middle School. He plays the oboe in wind symphony and is in the National Junior Honor Society. He enjoys sports, spending time with family and friends, is interested in meteorology and piloting, volunteers at Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services and will volunteer as a Madrich at Congregation Ahavath Chesed starting this year. Jordan will donate a portion of his Bar Mitzvah gift money to the Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services.
Engagement
Ellen Havah Goldstein, M.D., and Houman David Hemmati, M.D. Ph.D., have announced their engagement. Dr. Goldstein is the daughter of Dr. Jeffrey and Doris Goldstein and granddaughter of Beverly Goldstein, all members of the Jacksonville Jewish Center. Dr. Hemmati is the son of Dr. Said and Jacqueline Hemmati, members of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, Calif. Dr. Goldstein is a resident in obstetrics and gynecology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, N.H. She earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Hemmati is a clinical fellow in cornea and refractive surgery at Harvard Medical School and a research fellow in chemical engineering at MIT, both in Boston. He earned his undergraduate degree at Stanford, his M.D. at UCLA Medical School, his Ph.D. at Caltech,
and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He has served on the Board of the American Jewish Committee in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston for several years, chairing the Global Task Force in Washington. The wedding is planned for Labor Day weekend, 2012.
Wedding
Ryan Schube and Darci Epstein were married on June 26, 2011, in Chicago. The groom is the grandson of Helen and Eddie Siegel of Jacksonville, and son of Frances and Michael Schube of Atlanta. The bride’s parents are Ken and Janna Epstein of Chicago. Sara Chaya Richman and Brian Lee Binder were married July 31, 2011, at the Omni in Jacksonville. The bride is the daughter of Deena and Jim Richman, of Jacksonville. The groom is the son of Bobbi and Marc Binder of Dayton, N.J., and the grandson of Arline Binder of Monroe Township, N.J. The bride earned a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education at the University of Maryland. She is a second grade teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. The groom earned a bachelor of arts in music education at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. He teaches instrumental music to elementary school students in Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland. Following a honeymoon cruise to the Adriatic Sea the couple will live in Arlington, Va.
Accomplishments
On June 22, Andrew M. Kaunitz M.D. was honored with the Louis S. Russo Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine, presented to the
faculty member who exemplifies the highest standard of medical professionalism, substantiated by a commitment to personal behavior that reflects the core values of the consummate physician (altruism, excellence, ethics and respect for others). Dr. Kaunitz is tenured professor and associate chairman in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. Dr. Kaunitz has been a faculty member at UFCOM-Jacksonville since 1984. Dr. Elliott B. Rosenbaum, Psy.D., ABPP, successfully passed examinations to become board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and has also become a fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. This is the highest level examination for clinical psychologists in the United States. Dr. Rosenbaum completed his doctoral training at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 2008. Dr. Rosenbaum is a U.S. Navy psychologist, but will open his full-time private practice in August 2011 at 4465 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville. His practice will include individual and couples psychotherapy, psychological evaluations and consultation, motivational seminars and workshops, supervision of graduate-level mental health students and an International Association of Coaching license certification program for individuals training to become professional life coaches. Alison Zisser received a Ph.D. degree in clinical child psychology from the University of Florida on Aug. 6, 2011. She
completed her pre-doctoral internship at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and received her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She has accepted a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in the Department of Behavioral Psychology. Alison is the daughter of Carolyn and Elliot Zisser.
Sympathy
… to the family of Aaron Cohen, the beloved father of Andy Cohen (Cindy Flanigen). Aaron died June 17, 2011. Aaron is survived by his wife Sheila, son Tony (Stacey) Cohen, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The family requests that contributions in memory of Aaron be made to the Leukemia Society or the charity of your choice. … to the family of Ilse Gottlieb, who died July 8, 2011. She is survived by her sister Martha Steinfeld; son Melvin (Deborah) Gottlieb, daughter Annette Leffler; grandchildren Aaron (Erica) Gottlieb, Joy Gottlieb (Matthew Irvin), Lynda (Garth) Gridley, Lisa Aaron and Larry (Rothira) Leffler; and 11 great-grandchildren. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Gottlieb may be made to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School or Memories of Love Foundation. … to the family of Dr. Bernard Marks who died July 1, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Lee; children, Peter Rosen, Mendy, Jeff (Penny) and Kathy Marks; sister, Jeanette Newman; six grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Contributions in memory of Dr. Marks may be made to River Garden Hebrew Home.
Continued on p. 25
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page 25
www.jewishjacksonville.org
LIFECYCLES … to the family of Janis McClure, the beloved wife of Eric McClure and mother of Julia. Janis died June 29, 2011. The family requests that contributions in memory of Janis be made to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital. … to the family of Andrew Solloway, the beloved brother of Michael (Bonnie) Solloway. Andrew died June 22, 2011. He was predeceased by his wife Pamela Shoemaker Solloway. The family requests that contributions in memory of Andrew be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Federation and/or the University of Alabama Bloom Hillel Student Center for Tornado Relief Efforts, 380 9th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. … to the family of Martin Weiss who died July 6, 2011. He is survived by his wife Sandra Safer Deutsch Weiss; children Sara (Brian) Hodges, Mark (Debbie) Deutsch and Beth (David) Sparks; grandchildren Elizabeth, Brian, Julia, Megan, Mitchell and Jason; great-grandchildren Amber and Alexander; and more family and many friends. Contributions in memory of Martin Weiss may be made to the Jacksonville Jewish Center or to River Garden Hebrew Home.
… to the family of Morris Young, the beloved father of Larry (Barbi) Young. Morris died July 3, 2011. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ethel. He is survived by four children, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and countless friends. The family requests that contributions in memory of Morris be made to the Kelsi Leah Young Respite Care Fund at Community Hospice.
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Jacksonville Jewish News â&#x20AC;¢ August 2011
Learn how to get involved: Join jfedcommunity.org
TRAVEL/YLD MISSION
Sunrise over Masada
The valley of the communities at Yad Vashem
Group picture overlooking Jerusalem. From left: Nicole Sena, Wiatt Bowers, Ben Marsh, Meryl Shareff and Adam Bronstone The old city of Jerusalem
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Jacksonville Jewish News • August 2011
page 27
www.jewishjacksonville.org
TRAVEL/YLD MISSION
Wiatt Bowers, right, and Ben Marsh on the East Coast Bus.
In Hadera, at an Israel Partnership program, with a group of teen leaders.
A participant of an Ethiopian National Project educational program.
Above: Meryl and Nicole in the North of Israel, at Kfar Giladi guest house At left: Memorial to Janus Korczak and the children of his Jewish orphanage, at Yad Vashem
A food stand at machine yehuda, the jewish market in Jerusalem
page 28
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